Barnas clinches 5-4 victory for SU over No. 25 Cal Lutheran

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Salisbury University men's tennis team picked up a big win on Thursday as the Sea Gulls knocked off No. 25 California Lutheran University 5-4 in Thousand Oaks, Calif., to close out their Spring Break trip on a high note. Salisbury led for most of the match but had to hold off a late charge by the Kingsmen to post the Sea Gulls first win over a nationally ranked team this season.

Salisbury (4-4), ranked No. 7 in the Atlantic South region, began the contest with a loss at third doubles as sophomore David Lupinetti and junior Marcus Robinson were defeated by Jordan Culpepper and Andrew Giuffrida, 8-1. SU rebounded with two wins to finish off the doubles portion with a 2-1 lead. At second doubles freshman Daniel Barnas and sophomore Andrew Nottage pinned an 8-6 victory on Cal Lutheran's John Karsant and Ryan Lassila. Juniors Scott Burtzlaff and Evan Thomas put Salisbury up one heading into singles play with an 8-4 win over Forrest Hunt and Paul Wetterholm at first singles.

Lupinetti opened the scoring for SU in singles play as he made quick work of Hunt in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles. Cal Lutheran (10-4), ranked No. 7 in the West region, would tie the score with victories in the next two matches. At No. 2 singles, Wetterholm posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Thomas while Giuffrida, ranked fifth in the region, was victorious over Burtzlaff at first singles 7-6, 6-3. SU regained the lead when Nottage registered a 6-4, 6-4 win over Karsant at No. 5 singles. The Sea Gulls clinched the victory over the Kingsmen in No. 4 singles when Barnas came from behind to post a 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Lassila. The final match of the day saw Culpepper defeat SU senior Sasha Felikson 6-4, 7-5.

Salisbury finished its Spring Break trip 2-2 as the Sea Gulls faced three nationally ranked teams. The Sea Gulls will face Bridgewater (Va.) College in Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, March 22, at 3:30 p.m.