Tournament Central

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Higher seeds prevailed in the first round of the MEC Men's Tennis Tournament today at the Tennis Indoor Center with UVa-Wise edging Fairmont State, 5-4, and Charleston downing Shepherd, 5-0.

In the first quarterfinal, fifth-seeded Fairmont State grabbed a 2-1 lead after doubles. The fourth-seeded Cavs rallied for wins at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles to surge ahead 4-2. The Falcons won at No. 4 and No. 6 singles, meaning the match hinged on the result of No. 5 singles. UVa-Wise's Chris Armistead went down a set, but rallied and won the next two to secure the win and the victory for the Cavs. (Match Results)

In the second quarterfinal, third-seeded Golden Eagles rolled past sixth-seeded Shepherd, 5-0. UC rolled to wins in all three doubles matches, and Ivan Rajevac and Jamie Gibson won at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively, to close out the match. (Match Results)

UVa-Wise will take on top-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan tomorrow at 11 a.m. Charleston will meet second-seeded West Liberty in the second semifinal at 2 p.m.