CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The top-seeded and nationally-ranked University of Charleston men's tennis team defeated No. 4 seed West Liberty, 4-2, here Saturday in a Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinal at the Charleston Tennis Club.

    The Golden Eagles got off to a strong start, posting 6-3 wins in the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches to take the doubles point and carry a 1-0 lead into singles play.

    Coach Ron Hulewicz's Hilltoppers weren't going to go away quietly, however.

    Moritz Erpel put the Black and Gold's first point on the board with an impressive 6-1 6-3 blowout of Charleston's No. 1 singles standout John Giesberts in a match that took less than an hour to complete. West Liberty picked up its second point via another  straight-set win, this one coming at No. 2 singles as Nevio Dux breezed past UC's Vicente Garcia, 6-2 6-2.

    Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, the depth of their nationally-ranked opponent's lineup proved too much to overcome in the end as Charleston posted straight-set wins at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles to close out the match.

    The defending champion Golden Eagles advance to the MEC Tournament championship match and will take on the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between Fairmont State and West Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.