BACK TO THE FINALS !

When Barry knocked off the Pirates, 5-4, way back in February, many thought that the two teams would be on a collision course to meet in the finals if the Round of 16 bracket broke a certain way.

That collision course has been realized as Armstrong finished off No. 6 Saint Leo, 5-0, in one semifinal match and top-ranked Barry defeated No. 5 Hawai'i Pacific, 5-1, in the other semifinal match. These two rivals have matched up numerous times in the NCAA Championships, but oddly enough have never met with the National Championship on the line - until this year.

Much has been written about the Pirates' recent run of five national championships in the last six seasons, but Barry's lone title in DII women's tennis in 2011 is the outlier in that run for Armstrong. And the title also came at Sanlando Park in 2011, the last time the Championships were at the facility. So it is truly a write-your-own-storyline situation for what should be an outstanding National Championship Saturday at Sanlando Park. 9:00 a.m. will be the match time for the Pirates and the Bucs.

Now it's time to see if the men can join the women in the final as they get set to take on West Florida. Go Pirates !