ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Concordia College moved one step closer to a national championship with a 5-1 victory over St. Edward's Thursday in the quarter-finals of the NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Tournament. The Clippers will face off against Barry Friday at 1:00, with a trip to the National Championship match on the line.

The Clipper No. 1 doubles team of senior Alex Grubin and sophomore Andrey Boldarev went back and forth with their opponents and were deadlocked at 6-6. The Clipper duo broke the St. Edwards team and then served out the match to escape with an 8-6 victory.

St. Edwards struck at then No. 2 doubles spot, taking a 8-5 win from Raphael Namias and Felix Missal. However, Concordia's No. 3 doubles team of Andreas Lindell and Tamas Dobrotka gave the Clippers a 2-1 edge heading into singles play with an 8-6 victory.

Lindell, at the number six singles position, jumped ahead of Bernard Lancaster with a 6-2 first set victory.  He finished out his opponent in the second set by the same margin, giving Concordia a 3-1 lead.

Boldarev was the next to finish at the number two singles spot.  He surrendered just one game in the first set, winning 6-1. With a 6-2 win in the next set, Concordia was one point away from advancing.

Alex Grubin, hitting at the number one spot for the Clippers, went through his first set with no problem as he decimated his opponent with a 6-0 win.  He finished off his opponent, Ned Boone, 6-4, in the second. 

With the 5-1 win, the Clippers return to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the second consecutive season.  Concordia is now 26-3 on the season and will face Barry University Friday at 1:00 pm. Barry defeated Concordia earlier this season, 8-1, on March 1.