SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Lake Superior State clinched a spot in the 2019 GLIAC Men's Tennis Tournament with a 5-2 win over Ashland on Saturday at the Arbuckle Student Activity Center. 

It is the first time that Lake Superior State (6-6, 4-3 GLIAC) has made the GLIAC Men's Tennis Tournament since the 2009-10 season.

In doubles play, the Lakers won two out of three matches to secure the doubles point. The No. 1 doubles pairing of junior captain Joe Gilman and freshman Krishan Taneja won 7-5. The No. 2 doubles team of sophomore Diego Penz and senior Luis Valderrama fell 6-2, but the No. 3 doubles pairing of freshmen Harris Irfan ul Haq and Ali Sahibzada continued their dominance this season in doubles — recording a 7-6 (3) victory to earn the Lakers the doubles point. 

In singles play, the Lakers won four of the six matches to garner the 5-2 team victory. At No. 1 singles, Gilman fell 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4. Sahibzada fell 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 singles, but Taneja picked up a win at No. 3 singles with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Valderrama won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4 singles and Penz cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles to clinch the match for the Lakers and secure a spot in the 2019 GLIAC Men's Tennis Tournament. Irfan ul Haq rounded out the Lakers' lineup — winning 6-3, 4-6, 10-6 at No. 6 singles.

Lake Superior State hosts Wayne State for its final regular-season match at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Arbuckle Student Activity Center. Admission is free of charge.

For more information follow Laker tennis on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Watch head coach Luke Ogren's post-match interview below.