The No. 1-ranked Emory men's tennis team opened its defense of its ITA National Indoor title in dramatic fashion Friday evening, rallying for a 5-4 decision over No. 16 Gustavus Adolphus.  The win raised Emory's spring mark to 3-1.  The Championships are being held in St. Peter, Minnesota

The Eagles rallied from a 3-4 deficit, winning the last two singles matches of the night to finally secure the victory.  Freshman Hayden Cassone knotted the score at 4-4 following his 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, victory over Chase Johnson at four singles, and with all eyes fixed at the No. 6 singles court, senior Scott Rubinstein posted a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, outcome over Tommy Entwistle to seal the outcome.

Emory held a 2-1 edge after doubles with the No. 3 team of junior Jonathan Jemison and Cassone coming away with an 8-3 victory over Yassine Derbani and Zach Ekstein.  The Eagles went up, 2-0, following an impressive performance by the No. 2 tandem of senior Max Renke and junior Adrien Bouchet that saw them roll to an 8-2 triumph over Entwistle and Johnson.  Gustavus then got on the board with an 8-6 win at first doubles.

Senior Andrew Harrington upped Emory's edge to 3-1 after bettering Derbani, 6-0, 7-5, at five singles.  Gustavus then won at second, third and first singles to bolt to a 4-3 lead, setting the stage for Emory's comeback.

Emory moves to Saturday's semifinals where it will match-up against No. 9-ranked Chicago (8-0) at noon (CST).  The Maroons opened the ITA Indoor Championships with a 6-3 victory over Carnegie on Friday.