The Ferris State University men's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the first time in nine years as the Bulldogs pulled out a 4-1 win over Northwood University on Tuesday in the Midwest Region final.

With the win, the Bulldogs move on to the DII Sweet Sixteen set for May 19-24 in Surprise, Arizona.

Ferris State will advance to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in school history and the first time since 2017.

After claiming a 4-1 win over Drury University in the regional opener on Monday afternoon at the Big Rapids High School courts, the Bulldogs moved inside on Tuesday to the university’s Racquet and Fitness Center and topped Northwood in the first match this season between the two longtime tennis rivals.

The Bulldogs took the early lead by winning the doubles round, taking two of the three flights for the initial point of the match. The pairing of Adrian Catahan and Erik Kovacs came away with a decisive 6-2 win at one doubles and Felipe Iser teamed up with Kevin Kovacs for a 7-6 (7-2) victory at two doubles.

In singles play, Kevin Kovacs got the Bulldogs started early, pushing the match lead to 2-0 with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win at one singles.

Northwood cut the lead to 2-1 when Marc Ferrando Farras fought back to top Iser by a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 score.

However, freshman Praneel Pichika then rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) triumph at four singles, setting the stage for the clinching win by Jose Andres Perez Alarcon at two singles. He won the initial set 6-4 and sealed the victory with a 7-6 (7-4) decision.

FSU's Catahan led his match at five singles 6-3, 1-2 when play was stopped due to the clinch while Erik Kovacs held an early 2-1 lead at six singles.

The Bulldogs improved to 19-3 this year with their 10th consecutive victory of the season. Ferris State capped off the year with a 12-0 home mark, including the win on Monday at BRHS along with 11 victories at the Racquet and Fitness Center this campaign.

Ferris State will advance to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in school history and the first time since 2017.

The Bulldogs won the regional in Big Rapids in back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017 to advance to the national championships where they eventually reached the Elite Eight in back-to-back years, including a final four showing in 2016.

Along with capturing the regional title, the Bulldogs also won the GLIAC Regular-Season Championship this year and won the league's postseason tournament.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}