DALLAS, Texas - The Newman men's tennis team earned a berth into the Heartland Conference Championship match with a 5-4 win over St. Mary's in the first round of the Heartand Conference Men's Tennis Championships, which began Thursday in Dallas, Texas.

Thursday's semi-final match was about as tightly-contested as a match could be. Wins on the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles courts gave the Jets an early advantage. Newman's Jimmy Dunseith and Chris King held off the St. Mary's tandem of Guy Rutten and Marcin Marczewski for an 8-6 win on the No. 1 court, while Nathan Peters and Victor Bello picked up an 8-6 win over the Rattler duo of Nicolas Moreno and Nestor Moreno in the No. 3 court. The Jets' only loss in doubles play came on the No. 2 court, where Kevin Klein and Igor Ozegovic dropped an 8-6 decision to Andrea Klipa and Jake Williams.

Newman sealed the deal in singles play. Dunseith needed three sets, but held off Marczewski for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 win on the No. 1 court to push Newman's advantage to 3-1. King followed with 6-2, 6-1 straight-set win in the No. 3 match, while Ozegovic's 6-2, 6-4 win on the No. 4 court gave the Jets their decisive fifth win.

The win allows Newman to advance to the Heartland Conference Championship match, which is scheduled to be played Friday at 10 a.m., weather permitting. The Jets will face St. Edward's, a 5-0 winner over Dallas Baptist, for a shot at the team's first Heartland Conference title.

Newman 5, St. Mary's 4
Singles Competition
1. Jimmy Dunseith (NU) def. Marcin Marczewski (StMU), 5-7, 7-5, 6-3
2. Andre Klipa (StMU) def. Chris Copenhaver (NU), 6-1, 6-1
3. Chris King (NU) def. Guy Rutten (StMU), 6-2, 6-1
4. Igor Ozegovic (NU) def. Nestor Moreno (StMU), 6-2, 6-4
5. Jake Williams (StMU) def. Kevin Klein (NU), 6-3, 6-4
6. Carlos Olea (StMU) def. Nathan Peters (NU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles Competition
1. Dunseith/King (NU) def. Marczewski/Rutten, 8-6
2. Williams/Klepa (StMU) def. Klein/Ozegovic (NU), 8-6
3. Peters/Bello (NU) def. Moreno/Moreno (StMU), 8-6