BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Sophomore Jack Selati overcame a 5-2 deficit in the third set and won 7-6 (4) to clinch the win for the Raiders as they defeated Bucknell 4-3 in the Patriot League Quarterfinals.
 
With the win, fifth-seeded Colgate advances to the Patriot League Semifinals and will play first-seeded Navy tomorrow at 11 a.m.
 
The doubles play shined once again for the Raiders as they won two doubles matches to take an early 1-0 lead in the contest. The duo of juniors Rohan Gupta and Nick Potter won at No. 2 doubles 7-5, and junior Nate Romig and senior Jack Ablon won their match 7-5 at No. 3 doubles.
 
Gupta extended the Colgate lead to 2-0 with his stellar performance at No. 3 singles as he won in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. Also having a great match was senior Francis Scott Bickel as he won his match in straight sets 7-6 (3), 6-2.
 
At No. 2 singles, Selati won his first set 6-4, but fell in the second set 6-3 to force the third set. It was then that Selati clawed his way back from being down 5-2 to win the third set 7-6 (4).
 
Colgate is now 4-5 on the season while the Bison finish their season with an overall record of 3-8.
 
THE RUNDOWN
Singles
Francis Scott Bickel (Colgate) def. Marwan Abaza (Bucknell) 7-6 (3), 6-2
Jack Selati (Colgate) def. Michael Owen (Bucknell) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4)
Rohan Gupta (Colgate) def. Cooper Bradshaw (Bucknell) 6-2, 6-1
Nick Mueller (Bucknell) def. Jack Ablon (Colgate) 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2
Tim Zelikovsky (Bucknell) def. Nate Romig (Colgate) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
Sam Yildirimlar (Bucknell) def. Mike Thomas (Colgate) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
 
Doubles
Abaza/Bradshaw (Bucknell) def. Bickel/Selati (Colgate) 6-0
Gupta/Potter (Colgate) def. Mueller Zelikowsky (Bucknell) 7-5
Romig/Ablon (Colgate) def. Torres/Owen (Bucknell) 7-5
  
FROM THE SOURCE
On defeating Bucknell in the Patriot League Quarterfinals, head coach Bobby Pennington said, "Bar none, one of, if not the most, exciting and best wins in my 15 years. We won a nail-biting doubles match winning No. 2 and 3 doubles both 7-5. In singles, it was a complete epic 30-for-30 mini movie marathon. Credit to Gupta for winning quickly and Bickel for winning in a tight two sets. We lost Ablon, Romig and Thomas in third sets. 

"This set the stage for Jack Selati at No. 2 singles to be the clutch hero. He was down 5-2 in the third set and came back to clinch for us 7-6 in the third, playing like a fearless hero. Our culture, doubles, fearlessness and energy won us this match. We are going out there loose against Navy with noting to lose and everything to gain."

UP NEXT
Colgate plays Navy in the Patriot League Semifinals tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Bethlehem, Pa. The remaining tournament schedule is below.
 
Saturday, April 24 – Semifinals
Navy vs. Colgate, 11 a.m.
Lehigh vs. Army, 3 p.m.
 
Sunday, April 25 – Championship
Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner, 12 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate men's and women's tennis program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateMWTennis and on Instagram at colgatemwtennis.