COLUMBUS - The top-ranked and top-seeded Columbus State University men's tennis team captured its fourth straight Peach Belt Conference Tournament title after defeating sixth-ranked and second-seeded Lander University 4-0 on Saturday. The championship match took place at the John W. Walden Tennis Center.

It's the fifth title in program history for the Cougars and head coach Evan Isaacs.

"I'm super proud of these guys," added Isaacs. "It's always hard to defend a title because the other team is going to bring their best game. Today was a tighter match than the score will indicate, so we still have plenty of work to do before we get ready for the NCAA Tournament." 

Things could have turned out differently if it wasn't for a furious comeback at first doubles by the second-rank duo of Alvaro Regalado and Javier Cueto Ramos to begin the day. After Tommaso Schold and Pietro Martinetti gave Columbus State (19-0) its first win of the morning at third doubles with a 6-2 decision, the Cougars were searching for another victory to clinch the doubles point. However, both first and second doubles were tight with Regalado and Cueto Ramos playing from behind at the top spot. The pair were down 5-2 to 22nd-ranked Adam Elliget and Hugo Regner before they started to get into a groove. The All-American team won the next five games to secure the 7-5 win and to put the Cougars on top. 

In the unfinished match, Christian Garay and Felix Steen were leading Tommaso Rossin and Matthew De Groot 6-5 at second doubles.

Columbus State played with confidence in singles play, winning the opening set in five of the six matches. Garay was flying in his match at second doubles against Guillaume Tattevin. The 14th-ranked player in the nation took the opening set 6-2 before closing out the match with a 6-1 score in the second to grab the second point for the Cougars. Not too far behind him was second-ranked Regalado at first singles. The PBC Player of the Year posted a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Elliget to move CSU one step closer to the title. 

The clincher match came at fifth singles, where Justin Welz was battling Regner. The freshman didn't show any signs of pressure, capping off the championship with a 6-3, 6-3 win. 

Martinetti was just two games away from a win at sixth singles when play was called, while Cueto Ramos was up a set at fourth singles against Jamieson Nathan. At third singles, 28th-ranked Schold and Thomas De Negri split the first two sets and were headed to the decisive stanza.

Columbus State has now won 28 matches in a row and becomes just the third PBC school to win four straight PBC Men's Tennis Tournament titles. 

Regalado and Cueto were named the PBC Tournament Doubles MVPs for their work over the event, while Regalado was tabbed as the Singles MVP. 

The Cougars will await the draw of the 2021 NCAA Tournament which will be announced on Tuesday, May 4. The NCAA Southeast Regional will be held in Dahlonega, Ga. beginning on May 7.