National Champion Pirates Return Home To Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. - About 75 friends, family and fans of Armstrong Atlantic State tennis braved the rainy weather and welcomed home the 2009 NCAA Division II Men's & Women's Tennis National Champions on Sunday at Compass Pointe on the campus of AASU !

On Saturday in Altamonte Springs, Fla., the Armstrong Atlantic State men's tennis team won a five hour-long match and defeated Barry, 5-4, for the program's second NCAA Division II national championship. Sophomore Rafael Array won a three-set match over Barry's Roman Werschel, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, to earn the clinching point and give the Pirates the title.

Not to be outdone, the Lady Pirates claimed a 5-2 win over Lynn to earn the program's fifth NCAA Division II national championship. Gabriella Kovacs' three-set victory over Jessica Yanoff, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, was the deciding point as AASU avenged its only loss of the 2009 regular season against the Lady Knights.

Both teams have now won back-to-back national championships, a feat only accomplished one other time in college tennis history. Congratulations Pirates !