Men's Tennis' Van Lier and Perez Advance To Doubles Final At Balloon Fiesta

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Northern Colorado's No. 1 doubles team of Calix Van Lier and Adam Perez have advanced to an all-Big Sky final at the Balloon Fiesta men's tennis tournament hosted by New Mexico.

The Bears' top duo used an 8-3 victory against New Mexico Military Institute in the round of 16, an 8-3 win against Northern Arizona in the quarterfinals, and they got a 9-7 win against the host Lobos' Carl Ho and Phil Anderaon in the semifinals.

"It was a great performance," Northern Colorado coach Steve Williams said, "and the guys were really playing as a team. The energy and the intensity and communication between Calix and Adam were amazing."

Van Lier and Perez will face Northern Arizona's top team at 9 a.m. Sunday in Albuquerque.

"It should definitely be a tough match tomorrow," Williams said. "Our guys are fired up and ready."