CHARLESTON, Ill. - Austin Peay men's tennis team closed its season with a dramatic Ohio Valley Conference win at Eastern Illinois, 4-3, Sunday.

It is the fourth straight win for the Govs and the third consecutive OVC win; this after opening conference play 0-4. Those final three wins allow the Govs to finish with a 7-5 overall record and a 3-4 league clip, good enough for a spot in the 2010 OVC Tennis Tournament.

"We're excited that (senior) Leonardo (Locatelli) gets to go to the conference tournament for the first time in his career," head coach Malik Tabet said. "We turned this season around and I'm very pleased with their efforts.

And dramatic it was for the Govs at Eastern Illinois. The Panthers swept the always important doubles point, putting the Govs in a must-win situation heading into singles play.

Sean Bailey fell in straight sets at No. 1, but senior Leonardo Locatelli made quick work of Jamie Firth for a straight-set win at No. 2 singles. Freshmen Henrique Norbiato and Amar Subasic won at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, leaving the match tied at three wins each and two matches left to finish.

For the Govs it all came down to sophomore Renan Bezerra at No. 4. Bezerra breezed through the first set, winning 6-2, but got into trouble in set two. It all came down to the tiebreaker and Bezerra pulled it out for the Govs with a 7-5 win to take the deciding match.

"We started off flat. It was a well-played match on both sides" Tabet. "Renan did it against a serve-and-volley type player and he made good adjustments to win the match".

Letsgopeay.com will feature more on the 2010 OVC Tennis Tournament, played in Paducah, Ky., as seeding information comes available.

-AP-