ERIE, Pa. - On Saturday at the Westwood Racquet Club, the Franciscan University men's tennis team overcame Mt. Aloysius College 5-0 in the AMCC Semifinals, and are now only one match away from tying the conference record for most consecutive AMCC titles, with five.

Sophomore RJ Watson and junior Connor Jooste were firing on all cylinders at No. 2 doubles. The duo only dropped two games in their 8-2 domination, including the final five games. Behind deep first serves and consistent returns, Jooste and Watson took turns finishing points at the net and put the match out of reach in a matter of games.

Finishing before them was No. 1 doubles duo, Jarek Sulak, and John Gallagher. The pair lost a quick two games at the onset of the match, before regrouping on Gallagher's serve. The Barons would win eight of their remaining nine games, breaking serve at 7-3 for the 8-3 win. Sulak's first serve was typified by consistent depth, often at unreturnable velocities.

Points were harder to come by at No. 3 doubles. Senior David Freytag and freshman Jack Galla, both with parents in attendance, often found themselves victim to consistent Mt. Aloysius volleys. A match which remained on serve for its first few games took a turn when Freytag's serve was broken. Down 4-5, Freytag and Galla regrouped behind consistent cross-court groundstrokes, outlasting their opponents down the stretch. The Barons took the final four games for the 8-5 victory; fittingly, it was Freytag who served out the win.

Up 3-0 after doubles play, the Barons took the courts for singles after a five-minute break.

No. 4 singles player RJ Watson put his consistent first serve to work in his 6-1, 6-1 win. The sophomore changed his style of play to reflect his opponent's short shots. Watson finished points at the net, and served and volleyed for the first time this season. Smart tennis and improved footwork typified a quick match, and he threw in a nasty variety of drop shots to seal the win. The sophomore has now registered the clinching point in three straight postseason matches for the Barons.

At No. 2 singles, Gallagher won thirty-five straight points to open his match, good for a 6-0, 2-0 lead, before a forehand error gave his opponent his first point. The junior closed the door on an opponent who proved difficult during their regular season meeting; he finished the final four games behind confident groundstrokes for a 6-0, 6-0 match sweep.

Gallagher and Watson gave Franciscan their fourth and fifth points, respectively, at which point the match was called. Jooste was up 6-2, 3-0 at No. 5 singles, and was poised to take the match behind strong serves and backhands kept low over the net. Both Sulak and team captain Freytag held 6-0, 3-0 leads when their matches were called. Galla took his first set 6-3 but was losing the second 1-0.

The Barons next take on Penn St.-Behrend on Sunday, in the AMCC Conference Championship. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.