BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - The Olivet Nazarene University Tigers made a strong impression at the NAIA Tennis Individual National Championships in Rome, Ga.

The standout moment of the tournament came from Chatton Haws in the back draw quarterfinals against Bethel's Petr Kollar. Facing elimination, Haws was down 3-6, 2-5, and was just one point away from defeat. In a stunning display of toughness, he saved four consecutive match points, rallied to win five straight games, and took the second set 7-5. He then clinched the match in a decisive 10-6 third-set tiebreak, advancing to the semifinals. Though he eventually fell to Rodrigo Sanchez Hurtado (Bethel College) in the semis, Haws' comeback was a defining moment of the tournament. Haws also picked up a win against Phil Schollhorn (Milligan College) in the back draw before his quarterfinal match with Kollar.

After an opening loss in the main draw, Paul Saleh bounced back and earned a solid win in the back draw over Enzon Bardin (Millikin), 6-3, 7-6 (3), before falling in a close three-set match to Tomas Tenil (Milligan University) 7-5, 6-7 (5), 10-5.

Haws and Saleh also teamed up in doubles play to defeat Hastings College's Joel Carter and Ehan Mins 6-2.

Rafaela Luna opened her tournament with a hard-fought victory over Melissa Duaete (Milligan University), winning 7-5, 7-5 in the main draw. She was later forced to retire her match against Liu Yfang (Cumberland), effectively ending her run in the tournament. Luna also competed in the NAIA & NJCAA Mixed Tournament, narrowly losing to Coastal Alabama's Neda Kolyte in a tight 11-9 third-set tiebreak.

The NAIA-UTR Tournament was the final event of the Fall for ONU tennis and they will pick up their seasons again in the spring. Stay up-to-date with the teams' springs schedules right here at onutigers.com.

--ONU--