Third Time's A Charm For Barry

The No. 4-ranked Barry Buccaneers had been bounced by the Pirates in each of the last two NCAA DII National Championship matches, but the third time was a charm as Barry completed a 5-2 victory over the two-time defending DII champion Pirates this afternoon, advancing to the semifinals.

When the two teams met in last year's championship match, Rafael Array (pictured) went three sets to beat Roman Werschel for the title - the only match of the six singles matches to go to three sets. When the two teams met in Las Vegas earlier this season, three matches went to three sets. In a testament to how evenly matched these teams were, four of the six singles matches today went to three sets - and one could have had play continued. Svigelj clinched the match for the Bucs with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 win over Bonet at No. 2 singles. AASU's singles point came from Array, who defeated Fraitzl, 7-5, 6-2, at No. 3 singles.

We'll have a post-wrap on the Pirates' amazing run over the last three years tomorrow, but now we'll keep rooting for the Lady Pirates, who are chasing their sixth NCAA DII National Championship !