MIDLAND, Mich. -- The No. 1-seeded Wayne State University men's tennis squad (19-3 overall) swept fourth-seeded Northwood (12-9 overall), 4-0, in the GLIAC Semifinals on Saturday evening.

Earlier today, head coach Bryan Morrow was named GLIAC Coach of the Year after leading the Warriors to an undefeated conference season, while sophomore Niklas Karcz (Bottrop, Germany) was voted GLIAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year.  Five other Warriors received All-GLIAC accolades.  Karcz and junior Pierre Renaudie (Sathonay-Camp, France) were both named to the All-GLIAC First Team, with senior Griffin Mertz (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington), classmate Taylor Vane (Southampton, England) and freshman Max Rink (Wetzlar, Germany) earning Second Team All-GLIAC honors.  Redshirt junior Derek Sammons (Coldwater, Mich.) was named to the Honorable Mention team.

DOUBLES RESULTS
The 24th-ranked duo of Mertz and Vane was first off the courts after getting a break and notching a 6-3 victory over Kobus Sauerman and Pablo Salamanca at No. 1 doubles.

At the second flight, Karcz and Renaudie clinched the doubles point for WSU against David Reinauer and Hayden Drury (6-4).  Morrow commented, "Two doubles started strong.  They let their lead slip away but broke the last game to win the set."

Sammons and freshman David Solar (Prague, Czech Republic) were up by four when their No. 3 doubles match vs. Ben Brandherm and Ivan Medvynskyi ended.

SINGLES RESULTS
At No. 1 singles, Karcz nearly blanked Sauerman (6-0, 6-1).  "Niklas was dominant and won fast," Morrow stated.  "He was steady throughout the match."

At No. 3 singles, Vane notched a victory over Brandherm (6-1, 6-3).  "Taylor played a solid match," said Morrow.  "Pulling it out, he was the second singles match finished.  Vane served big and came to the net a lot."

Renaudie clinched the match for the Green and Gold by winning his No. 2 singles match in a third set against Reinauer (4-6, 6-3, 6-2).  Morrow commented, "Pierre beat his opponent who he had previously lost to in the last NU match.  Renaudie lost the first set, battled in the second set, and pulled it out with some great volleys and a lot of tough shots."

Mertz and freshman Max Rink (Wetzlar, Germany) were both in their third sets, while freshman Donovan Nguyen (Troy, Mich. / Utica) was 5-5 in his second set when the match was clinched.

UP NEXT
Wayne State will face No. 3-seeded Ferris State in the GLIAC Championship round on Sunday at 9:00 a.m.