SAVANNAH, GA. – Second-ranked and two-time NCAA Division II defending national champion Armstrong Atlantic State University swept to a 5-0 victory over 13th-ranked Francis Marion University, Saturday morning (May 8) in the title match of the Southeast Regional Men's Tennis Tournament.

The Pirates (28-1) advance to the NCAA Division II Round of 16 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Francis Marion ends its season 12-8, with three of the losses coming at the hands of AASU. The Patriots were making their 14th NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 16 seasons.

AASU jumped out to a 3-0 lead after doubles. The Pirates won 8-5 at both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.  At No. 3, FMU's Alex Caspari and Karl Rogers put up a valiant effort, but fell 8-6 to Eudaldo Bonet and Paul Fitzgerald after leading 6-5.

Eleventh-ranked Rafael Array put the Pirates up 4-0 with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Dirk Bair at No. 3 singles, then the clinching point came at No. 4 singles as 38th-ranked Matus Mydla knocked off Caspari 6-0, 6-2.

The Pirates will head to Altamonte Springs with an eye on becoming just one of four schools to earn three consecutive Division II men's tennis national championships (UC Irvine, SIU Edwardsville and Lander). AASU has won 90 of its last 92 matches over the past three seasons.