Joaquim Almeida and Siwanat Auytayakul etched their names in Flames tennis program history on Thursday. These two players not only achieved Liberty University's first-ever victory at the NCAA Tennis Individual Championships but also faced tough challenges in the subsequent rounds. Their story is one of determination and skill on the tennis court.

Unforgettable Triumphs and Tough Battles in Flames Tennis History

Round of 32: A Close Battle with Cal

On Wednesday, the Flames pair showed exceptional form in the round of 32. They jumped out to a 6 - 4 lead in the first set against California's No. 25 duo of Carl Emil Overbeck and Theo Dean. However, the Bears duo fought back fiercely and won the second set 6 - 3, forcing a tiebreak third set. Liberty responded with an early lead in the tiebreak and emerged victorious with a slim 6 - 4, 3 - 6, 1 - 0 (10 - 8) score. This victory marked a significant milestone for the program as it was the first-ever triumph in the NCAA Men's Tennis Individual Championships.

First Round: A Historic First

The first round victory was a moment of pride for the Flames. Almeida and Auytayakul became the first doubles duo to qualify for the event. Former Flames Sam Matheson (2016) and Nicaise Muamba (2019) had each qualified for the singles championship but were unable to secure a win. This achievement showed the rising talent within the Flames tennis program.

Second Round: A Tough Duel with Florida State

In the second round, the Flames pair faced a tough challenge against Florida State's No. 41 pair. They initially fell behind 2 - 0 and fought back to a 3 - 3 tie in the first set before losing it 6 - 3. Liberty then roared to a 4 - 0 lead in the second set, but the Seminoles pair responded and tied the set at 5 - 5. In the end, the Florida State duo sealed the 6 - 3, 7 - 5 victory. Despite the setback, Almeida and Auytayakul's performance was remarkable.

Fall Season and Spring Preparation

Almeida, a senior, and Auytayakul, a freshman, had an impressive 8 - 3 record playing together this fall. They went 5 - 0 at the ITA Atlantic Regional, including a semifinal triumph over Old Dominion's No. 8 pair of Codie and Connor Van Schalkwyk, which earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. The Flames' fall season officially ended with a 1 - 1 record at the NCAA Championships. Now, they are preparing to open the spring season with a home doubleheader on Jan. 18 against Richmond and Radford. This upcoming season holds great promise for the Flames tennis team.