UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's tennis team is set to travel to Houghton, NY to face the Houghton University Highlanders in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament Semifinals on Friday, April 28 at 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell to Alfred University on Tuesday, April 25 by a score of 7-2. Utica held the tiebreaker over Alfred so even with the loss the team qualified for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament.
 
Tournament Format: The top four teams in the Empire 8 qualify for the Conference Tournament. Houghton (8-0 E8) claimed the top spot for the second year in a row and have not lost a conference match during that span. Nazareth (6-2 E8) holds the second seed, St. John Fisher (4-4 E8) claim the third spot, and the Pioneers (1-7 E8) are the fourth seed. Utica plays Houghton in one semifinal while Fisher and Nazareth clash in the other. The winners will play in the Championship on Saturday with the winner earning an automatic berth into the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Tournament.
 
Playoff History: This is Utica's eighth all-time postseason appearance and third consecutive. The team looks to avenge its loss against Houghton from the first round last year and win its first ever postseason match.
 
Lean on Me: The duo of Hunter Sanford (Delhi, NY/Delaware Academy) and Bradley Litz (West Winfield, NY/Mt. Markham) has been fantastic in duos this season and sport a 5-4 record together this season. In their last outing the duo topped Alfred 8-7 and earned crucial points to help send the Pioneers to their third consecutive postseason. 
 
Taking Care of Business: Hunter Sanford (Delhi, NY/Delaware Academy) is on a tear right now in singles winning his last match in dominant fashion by games of 6-1 and 6-2. Sanford looks to keep his momentum heading into the Empire 8 Conference Tournament.
 
Scouting Houghton: The Highlanders finished their regular season undefeated in conference play for the second consecutive season. Houghton is scorching hot right now winning its last four games 9-0. The team is led by Zach Nolan who is 12-6 while Matt Cicero sports a 10-4 singles record. The duos of Levi Webb/Jaimie Staerkle (12-2) and Marcelo Garcia/Michah Schilke (13-3) have been incredible in doubles and won a combined 25 of their 30 matches.

Up Next: The Pioneers will look to advance to the championship match against either Nazareth or Fisher on Saturday at 1 p.m.