MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg men's tennis team secured their spot in the United East Championship contest thanks a 4-0 win over Penn State Berks in the semifinal round on Tuesday, April 29.


The hometown Lions (15-5) set the tone in doubles play, starting with Peng Mark Hou and Andrew Schreck who earned a 6-0 victory over Talan Nguyen and Donovan Sullivan in the No. 2 matchup. Kevin Liang and Derwin Merca secured a 6-1 win over Joseph Martin and Rajas Joshi in the third contest and the top duo of Cooper Wheeler and Damir Cuturic were leading Muhammad Esmat and Jazae Maina-Itegi 4-3 before the match ended unfinished.


Hou, Merca, and Clayton Herb helped secured the semifinal victory in the No. 1, No. 5, and No. 6 contests, respectively. Hou topped Esmat 6-1, 6-2 in the top singles pairing, Merca earned a 6-3, 6-1 decision in the second contest, and Herb defeated Joshi 6-0, 6-1 in the sixth matchup. Wheeler, Cuturic, and Liang all competed in singles competition and were leading in their individual contests before they remained unfinished.


The Lions are set to defend their United East Championship title on Sunday, May 4 against St. Mary's College of Maryland. The championship match will be held at the Hempfield Rec Center in Hempfield, Pa. at 1:30 p.m.


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg men's and women's tennis all season long on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) by following the Lions using the handle @pshbgtennis.