HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – University of Charleston advanced to Saturday's MEC Men's Tennis Tournament semifinal after easily defeating Shepherd University, 5-0, at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center on the campus of Marshall University.
 
Charleston entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed with a 4-3 MEC regular season record and the Rams from Shepherd was the No. 5 seed.  The Golden Eagles swept all three double courts to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Alek Gracin and Elliott Le Petit each served up 6-0, 6-0 wins in singles to put Charleston in the semis versus the No. 1 seed West Liberty University. 
 
UC dropped a 6-3 decision to the Hilltoppers earlier this season.  Tomorrow's semifinal is scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. start at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center, however there is an unfavorable forecast that predicts rain for most of the day Saturday.  The alternate location for tomorrow's match will is at the Huntington Indoor Tennis Center.
 
Doubles
#1 Foote/Gibson (UC) def. Davis, C./Davis, G. (SU), 8-6
#2 Lakeman/Gracin (UC) def. Wheatley/Thomas (SU), 8-2
#3 Humphrey/Prince (UC) def. Smith/Charette 8-0

Singles
#3 Alex Gracin (UC) def. Lewis Charette (SU), 6-0, 6-0
#5 Elliott Le Petit (UC) def. Clay Smith (SU), 6-0, 6-0

Order of Finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,5)