NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry College men's tennis team clinched a top four South Atlantic Conference finish with a 6-3 victory over Mars Hill College in league action Friday.

The top half finish ensures the Indians (5-7, 3-2 SAC) will host the first round of the Food Lion SAC Tournament for the first time in the program's history. The three conference wins is also the most in program history.

The Indians took a 2-1 lead in doubles action, with the South African duo of Daryl Van Vuuren and Jeremy Smith claiming a 9-7 decision in No. 1 doubles.

After the Lions took Nos. 2 and 3 singles to take a 3-2 lead, Felipe Sobrinho (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) defeated Taylan Batuk, 6-2 and 6-0, in No. 4 singles to tie the match.

Maxim Sukharev (Vilnius, Lithuania) gave Newberry the lead again as he defeated John Allen in a three-and-a-half hour marathon three-setter, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, at No. 1 singles.

Lucas Mattos (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) held off Marco Castaneda, 6-1, 7-5, at No. 5 singles to clinch the match.

Scott Gates (Atlanta, Ga.) rounded out the match with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) win over Andrew Waldrop in No. 6 singles.

The Indians round out regular season action at home against Catawba College at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The winner of the match will claim third place in the conference standings.

Singles competition
1. Maxim Sukharev (NEW) def. John Allen (MHC) 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5
2. Francisco Contreras (MHC) def. Daryl Van Vuuren (NEW) 6-2, 6-1
3. Oscar Gomez (MHC) def. Jeremy Smith (NEW) 6-4, 6-2
4. Felipe Sobrinho (NEW) def. Ugras Taylan Batuk (MHC) 6-2, 6-0
5. Lucas Mattos (NEW) def. Marco Castaneda (MHC) 6-1, 7-5
6. Scott Gates (NEW) def. Andrew Waldrop (MHC) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)

Doubles competition
1. Daryl Van Vuuren/Jeremy Smith (NEW) def. John Allen/Francisco Contreras (MHC) 9-7
2. Maxim Sukharev/Felipe Sobrinho (NEW) def. Ugras Taylan Batuk/Marco Castaneda (MHC) 8-2
3. Oscar Gomez/Robert Roddy (MHC) def. Scott Gates/Mikael Jurkovic (NEW) 10-8