KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [BRACKET | SCHEDULE] Union (Ky.) was the story of day two as the Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinal round after a razor-thin, 4-3 victory over No. 6-seeded William Carey (Miss.) at the 2022 NAIA Men’s Tennis National Championship. Middle Georgia State also advanced in upset fashion with another 4-3 win over No. 7-seeded Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) as the quarterfinal round has now been set.

Game Notes & Highlights

• In the first match of the Second Round to close, No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan swept past No. 15 Coastal Georgia, 4-0. After a pair of convincing wins in the doubles round, the Bulldogs used a pair of 6-2, 6-2 winners to clinch the contest, led by Jesus Fernandez's win at the fifth flight over Bautista Chiaradia.
• No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett continued its title defense with a quick 4-0 ousting of No. 17 Ave Maria (Fla.). Matthias Haim partnered with Daniel Czepielewski for a 6-2 win at two doubles, then turned around in singles action for a 6-2, 6-3 win over Nick Hofmeister at the top flight.
• No. 12 Cumberlands (Ky.) pulled within one point twice, but was never able to tie the match before Juan Varon's 6-1, 6-4 win over Hung-Ju Wu at the bottom singles flight clinched a 4-2 win for No. 5 Xavier (La.).
• Bolstered by Isaac Steiner's 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 come-from-behind win at the five singles spot, No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan then used a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2  win at the second flight from Martin Carrizo over Victor Olivera to clinch a 4-1 victory over No. 13 Southeastern (Fla.).
• No. 14 San Diego Christian (Calif.) gave No. 3 Keiser (Fla.) all it could handle as the Hawks took the doubles point, courtesy of two tiebreak winners. The Seahawks retook the lead, 2-1, until SDCC tied the match at two apiece. Fred Oervad clinched the match for Kesier at the three spot, taking down Luis Hochenauer in 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 fashion.
• In the first major upset of the Second Round, No. 11 Union (Ky.) upset No. 6 William Carey in a nearly four-hour marathon match. Gerhard Swart and Santiago Diaz Lopez teamed up to post a 6-3 doubles-clinching win at the second flight before the Bulldogs clinched the match with Sergio Lizarraga's 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 come-from-behind win over Eric Caleguer at the bottom singles spot.
• In the final upset of the day, No. 10 Middle Georgia State completed a 4.5-hour upset win over No. 7 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). The Knights took the doubles point in fairly convincing fashion, but the Blue Raiders took back the lead, 2-1. After MGSU tied the match, Lindsey Wilson took the lead back, 3-2, but the Knights stole a pair of three-set victories to complete the comeback, capped by Gianfranco Germinara's 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 clinching win over Tiago Almeida at the fifth flight.
• The southern heat and humidity also played a factor on the day as multiple teams had to battle the sun’s effects throughout the morning. The heat rule was put into effect just before the end of the men’s matches.
• With today’s win, Georgia Gwinnett has moved to 29-0 all-time in championship play.