DAHLONEGA - For the first time since 2016, the No. 10 University of North Georgia men's tennis team has reached the round of 16 and the Southeast Region final as they knocked off No. 5 Lander Saturday afternoon, 4-2, at the UNG Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek.

Zach Waldow and Joaquin Benoit got things started with a 6-3 win on the second doubles line, but Lander took No. 3, bringing the doubles point down to the top line. In a tiebreak, Ryan Gaskin and Kevin Candido Magnusson took the doubles point, 7-6 (5).

In singles action, Gaskin quickly dispatched of his opponent on the top line, 6-1, 6-2, finishing just ahead of Benoit's 6-2, 6-4 win on the second line that put UNG within a point of clinching. Lander stormed back to try and mount a comeback, winning at No. 6 and No. 3 in straight sets. Waldow finished off the match with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win on the fourth line, pushing the Nighthawks to the regional final.

UNG will battle No. 1 Columbus State for a spot in Surprise, Arizona, tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. The Cougars took down fourth-seeded Wingate, 4-0, Saturday afternoon.