CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Davis & Elkins College men's tennis team made history over the weekend, earning its first-ever NCAA Division II Tournament win before falling to the region's top seed in the Atlantic/East Regional.

Competing as the No. 5 seed, the Senators edged No. 4 West Virginia Wesleyan in a thrilling 4-3 victory on Friday at the Schoenbaum Tennis Courts to advance to the regional semifinal. Justus Petersilie delivered the match-clinching point at No. 5 singles, rallying for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win to push D&E into the second round.

Davis & Elkins took the early advantage by winning the doubles point. Viktor Yanev and Christo Wirahadipoernomo posted a 6-2 win at No. 3, while Philipp Fedorczuk and Petersilie secured the point with a 6-4 triumph at No. 1. In singles, Yanev cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1, and Filippo Buffo added a three-set win at No. 6 to help D&E build momentum.

The historic win set up a semifinal clash with top-seeded Charleston on Saturday. The Golden Eagles, ranked among the top programs in the region, ended the Senators' postseason run with a 4-0 decision.

Charleston claimed the doubles point with wins at the top two courts and carried that momentum into singles. Jorge Perez defeated Yanev 6-4, 6-0 at No. 1, Vicente Garcia topped Petersilie 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5, and Alberto Nordio clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6.

The Senators conclude the season having achieved a major milestone for the program with their first NCAA tournament win, capping off a year of growth and achievement.