ROME, Ga. (May 7, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team advanced to the UTR Sports NIT Championship Final after a 4-2 semifinal triumph Thursday afternoon over Longwood in Rome, Ga.
The second-seed Lions will now face No. 1 seed Virginia Tech in the final, taking on the Hokies on Friday, May 8 at 8 a.m. CT.
North Alabama (15-9) had a fast start vs. the Lancers, sweeping the doubles matches to begin play. Victories on courts one and three gave UNA the early point advantage, continuing into singles with two straight wins. Longwood (13-7) fought back to claim two ensuing singles bouts, but the Lions' Satoru Nakajima provided the clinching win with a sixth-court triumph.
The win marks the second consecutive season UNA will compete for a postseason championship. The Lions secured its first ever Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in 2025, also advancing to the NCAA Tournament. It also marks North Alabama's second appearance in the final this tournament after the women's team accomplished the feat one day prior.
Senior Lachlan Brain and sophomore Samu Dominguez began the dual with a 6-3 doubles' victory over Daniel Lopez and Alejandro Uribe from court three. Juniors Alberto Altur and Izan Orgiles clinched the doubles point after a 6-4 win from court one over Daniel Borisov and Timéo Puech.
Orgiles and Dominguez doubled in the days' victories after winning the first two singles matches. Orgiles defeated Rufus Plane in a 6-4, 6-0 rout from court three. Dominguez earned the team's third point after a 6-3, 6-3 triumph from court five.
Longwood began its rally with victories on courts two and four. Daniel Lopez defeated junior Alex Despoja in 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback win on court four. Daniel Borisov also led a comeback win after battling back against Altur from court two, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Nakajima provided the winning point from court six, doing what he does best to send the Lions to the tournament final. He went on to complete his comeback against Alejandro Uribe with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 final score.
North Alabama 4, Longwood 2
Doubles
1. Izan Orgiles/Alberto Altur (UNA) def. Daniel Borisov/ Timéo Puech (LU), 6-4
2. Satoru Nakajima/Alex Despoja (UNA) vs. Marko Mrdak/Rufus Plane (LU), 5-4, unfinished
3. Lachlan Brain/Samu Dominguez (UNA) def. Daniel Lopez/Alejandro Uribe (LU), 6-3
Order of Finish: (3,1)
Singles
1. Timéo Puech (LU) vs. Lachlan Brain (UNA), 4-6, 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
2. Daniel Borisov (LU) def. Alberto Altur (UNA), 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. Izan Orgiles (UNA) def. Rufus Plane (LU), 6-4, 6-0
4. Daniel Lopez (LU) def. Alex Despoja (UNA), 1-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Samu Dominguez (UNA) def. Marko Mrdak (LU), 6-3, 6-3
6. Satoru Nakajima (UNA) def. Alejandro Uribe (LU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
Order of Finish: (3,5,4,2,6)
Match Notes
North Alabama: 15-9
Longwood: 13-7
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
