With its 5-2 victory over Ball State this weekend, the Binghamton men’s tennis team clinched its first ever spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) postseason tournament. After capturing seven consecutive America East tournament championships, the Bearcats (7-15, 3-2 MAC) began competing in the MAC this season.

“We have focused on the process of working hard each day and improving piece by piece,” BU head coach Nick Zieziula said in a press release on bubearcats.com. “We will continue that process this week and carry that attitude through Dekalb [at the MAC tournament].”

After losing two of three double sets to drop the opening point, the Bearcats rallied in the singles portion of play. BU juniors Sid Hazarika and Eliott Hureau as well as senior Ismael Dinia each defeated their Ball State opponents in two sets. Sophomores Thomas Caputo and Frenk Kote each dropped their first sets, but rallied to earn the Bearcats’ fourth and fifth points of the match and secure a 5-2 victory.

“We lost the doubles’ point and lost three first sets,” Zieziula said according to bubearcats.com. “Ball State came ready to compete, but when we faced adversity, we used it as a reason to step up our game and not back down.”

Binghamton is set to return to action Friday at the MAC championship hosted by Northern Illinois at the West Tennis Courts in Dekalb, Illinois.