The men’s tennis team successfully defended its Empire 8 crown this weekend, winning the conference championship for the second year in a row.

The Bombers also secured a bid to the NCAA Championships as this season marked the first time the winner of the Empire 8 would receive an automatic bid.

The third-seeded Bombers defeated sixth-seeded Elmira College 9–0 in the opening round of the tournament on Saturday. Later in the day the Blue and Gold beat second-seeded St. John Fisher College convincingly, winning by a score of 7–2.

Sunday’s Championship match featured a familiar foe for Ithaca – the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Bombers and Tigers have squared off in every championship match in the Empire 8’s history.

The South Hill squad emerged victorious by a score of 6–3, securing their fourth Empire 8 title in the last five years. Seniors Colin Flynn and Joe Young and freshman Taylor Borda and Danny Wolk were all victorious in singles competition.

In doubles action, the teams of Borda and Wolk and junior Jeff Buffum and freshman Liam Berkowitz were winners for Ithaca.

The Bombers now await their seeding and opponent in the NCAA Championship tournament.