Charles, Rizzolo Top Redlands Duo to Advance to NCAA Doubles Semifinals, LIVE VIDEO FOR SATURDAY MATCHES

University of Mary Washington freshmen Evan Charles and Donato Rizzolo won a three-set decision over Mark Bloom and Patrick lipscomb of the University of Redlands in the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III national doubles championship on Friday in Cary, N.C. The Eagles won by a score of 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, avenging a regular season loss to the Redlands duo.

Charles and Rizzolo, like in Thursday's first round, started slowly, falling behind, 3-0, in the first set. The teams traded points on serve to move the score to 4-1 in favor of Redlands, and despite several break points, UMW fell in the first set, 6-3. The second saw the Eagles come out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Redlands responded with a break and hold to move the score to 3-2, and the teams traded points on serve until UMW led, 6-5. The Eagles broke serve and gained the second set with a lob winner on set point to tie the match at one set apiece.

In the third, Rizzolo opened by holding serve, and UMW broke and held to push the score to 3-0. After both teams held twice, the Eagles led, 5-2, and broke serve on the third match point to come away with the 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 win.

The duo will compete in the national semifinals on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. against Amrik Donkena andMya Smith-Dennis of Gustavus Adolphus College.