WICHITA FALLS, Texas – For the seventh time in program history, Midwestern State men's tennis is headed to the NCAA Championships following a 5-1 rout of No. 4 seed St. Edward's in the NCAA Division II South Central Region #1 Championship Saturday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.

The top-seeded Mustangs punched their ticket to the championship site for the third time in the last four seasons and first since 2014 when they also defeated the Hilltoppers, 5-4, in the regional championship in Wichita Falls.

Junior Chris Norrie clinched the match for Midwestern, earning a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Felix Bake at No. 3 singles to propel the Mustangs to the victory.

Midwestern State improved to 16-8 on the season and will face the Central Region #2 winner between No. 19 Southeastern Oklahoma State and No. 20 Nebraska-Kearney in the NCAA Sweet 16 on Wednesday, May 18 at 3 p.m. (CT) at the Regency Athletic Complex in Denver, Colo. The Savage Storm and Lopers will battle for the Central Region title Tuesday in Kearney.

St. Edward's ended the season at 11-14 after making its eight-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

After the 22nd-ranked duo of senior Kyle Davidson and junior Ramon Toyos came away with a thrilling 9-8 (5) victory at No. 1 doubles, Davidson kept the momentum leaning towards the Maroon and Gold in singles play. Davidson, ranked 40th in the national rankings, claimed his fourth win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season with a 6-1, 6-3 win over No. 41 Ricardo Pineda at the No. 1 position to push the MSU advantage to 3-1.

Freshman Dylan Hall followed Davidson with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Mateus de Col on court six to set up Norrie's clincher. 

The Mustangs jumped ahead early in Saturday's match with senior Zack Santagate and freshman Dillon Pineda posting an 8-3 victory over Bake and Maximo Agoglia at No. 2 doubles for a 1-0 MSU lead.

The Hilltoppers earned their lone point of the afternoon with de Col and Jared Fellows collecting an 8-5 win over Norrie and freshman Benjamin Neander on court three.

Midwestern State will travel to the Mile High City for the second time this season in its seventh trip to the championship site, also making Sweet 16 appearances in 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2013 and 2014 with Elite Eight showings in 2006, 2013 and 2014.

No. 14 Midwestern State 5, No. 28 St. Edward's 1
May 7, 2016 at Wichita Falls, Texas (MSU Tennis Center)

Singles Competition
1. No. 40 Kyle Davidson (MSU) def. No. 41 Ricardo Pineda (SEU) 6-1, 6-3
2. No. 47 Ramon Toyos (MSU) vs. Charlie Shin (SEU) 3-6, 6-2, 3-0, unfinished
3. Chris Norrie (MSU) def. Felix Bake (SEU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Dillon Pineda (MSU) vs. Maximo Agoglia (SEU) 6-7 (5-7), 5-2, unfinished
5. Benjamin Neander (MSU) vs. Logan Buignet (SEU) 6-4, 2-1, unfinished
6. Dylan Hall (MSU) def. Mateus de Col (SEU) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles Competition
1. No. 22 Kyle Davidson/Ramon Toyos (MSU) def. No. 23 Ricardo Pineda/Charlie Shin (SEU) 9-8 (7-5)
2. Zack Santagate/Dillon Pineda (MSU) def. Felix Bake/Maximo Agoglia (SEU) 8-3
3. Jared Fellows/Mateus de Col (SEU) def. Chris Norrie/Benjamin Neander (MSU) 8-5
 
Match Notes:
St. Edward's 11-14; National ranking #28; Regional ranking #4
Midwestern State 16-8; National ranking #14; Regional ranking #1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,6,3)
NCAA II South Central Region #1 Championship
Lightning delay began at 2:54 p.m. and lasted for 41 minutes