BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's tennis team trailed Mercyhurst University 4-3 on Saturday with the final two singles matches heading into deciding third sets. Freshmen Indi Reverte and Joan Oliver Perez shined under pressure, clinching the final two matches for KU and solidifying a 5-4 triumph over the Lakers in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action from Bloomsburg University's Burt Reese Tennis Center.
 
After falling behind in doubles play, Mercyhurst (11-5, 2-2 PSAC) garnered a 4-3 advantage over Kutztown (14-3, 4-0) with victories at the No. 1, 4, and 5 singles flights.
 
Oliver Perez, playing No. 3 singles, and Reverte, playing No. 6 singles, were victorious in their first sets, but each fell in the second set to provoke a third.  Oliver Perez knocked out Mercyhurst's Robert Rizea first to tie the team score at 4-4, followed by Reverte downing Ross Molinaro IV in a tiebreaker (7-4) to clinch the exciting win for Kutztown.
 
Matt Maguire scored KU's other singles tally, breezing past Travis Beck at No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-3).
 
The Golden Bears started off the contest with a much needed 2-1 lead coming out of doubles competition. Seniors Varun Desai and Ken Beebe won 8-5 at No. 2 doubles, marking the pair's ninth-consecutive doubles victory. Reverte and Gabriel Nogara Souza won at the third doubles flight, 8-4.
 
The Maroon and Gold head back to Bloomsburg tomorrow, Sunday, April 19 to take on PSAC rival Edinboro University at 10 a.m. for the last match of the regular season. With both squads boasting a 4-0 conference record, the two teams will square off for the PSAC regular-season title.
 
Results
 
Doubles
1. Nenad Terzic/Travis Beck (MH) def. Matt Maguire/Rich Lichtenwalner (KU); 8-6
2. Varun Desai/Ken Beebe (KU) def. Andoni Marquez/Conor McCooey (MH); 8-5
3. Indi Reverte/Gabriel Nogara Souza (KU) def. Robert Rizea/ Ross Molinaro IV (MH); 8-4
 
Singles
1. Nenad Terzic (MH) def. Varun Desai (KU); 6-1, 6-0
2. Matt Maguire (KU) def. Travis Beck (MH); 6-1, 6-3
3. Joan Oliver Perez (KU) def. Robert Rizea (MH); 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4. Andoni Marquez (MH) def. Rich Lichtenwalner (KU); 6-4, 6-1
5. Conor McCooey (MH) def. Gabriel Nogara Souza (KU); 6-1, 6-1
6. Indi Reverte (KU) def. Ross Molinaro IV (MH); 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4)