Liberty freshman Josh Wilson's three-set victory in the No. 2 singles match against Lipscomb's Pablo Caffarena lifted the Flames to a thrilling 4-3 decision on Saturday afternoon at the Cook Tennis Center.

The Flames (9-9) remain perfect in ASUN Conference play at 3-0 and share first place in the league with Florida Gulf Coast (8-8, 3-0), a 6-1 winner over Stetson on Saturday. Liberty has now won three straight matches and is 4-0 at home on the season.

Lipscomb falls to 6-10 on the year and 1-2 in league competition, following the loss on a day which featured high winds throughout the match.

Wilson's clutch performance gave the Flames the victory in what was their inaugural ASUN Conference home match. The freshman from Reigate, United Kingdom, split his first two sets with Caffarena and led 5-3 in the third set before the Lipscomb junior stormed back.

Caffarena took the next two games, breaking serve in the process, and led 30-0 on serve with the set tied 5-5. Wilson answered by winning eight straight points to claim the match 6-7 (8), 6-4, 7-5.

Liberty 4, Lipscomb 3

Singles Competition
1. #101 Nicaise Muamba (LIBERTYM) def. Victor Chaw (LIP-M) 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
2. Josh Wilson (LIBERTYM) def. Pablo Caffarena (LIP-M) 6-7 (8-10), 6-4, 7-5
3. Chase Burton (LIBERTYM) def. Pedro Uribe (LIP-M) 6-2, 6-4
4. Jake Penny (LIP-M) def. Ian Sturgill (LIBERTYM) 6-4, 7-5
5. David Skrabut (LIP-M) def. Eddie Gutierrez (LIBERTYM) 6-4, 7-5
6. Vince Salas (LIBERTYM) def. George Wong (LIP-M) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Doubles Competition
1. Victor Chaw/Pablo Caffarena (LIP-M) def. Nicaise Muamba/Chase Burton (LIBERTYM) 6-0
2. Josh Wilson/Ian Sturgill (LIBERTYM) vs. Jake Penny/Francesco Tacconi (LIP-M) 2-5, unfinished
3. Pedro Uribe/Michael Tougher (LIP-M) def. Vince Salas/Steve Mundt (LIBERTYM) 6-3

Lipscomb 6-10, 1-2 ASUN
Liberty 9-9, 3-0 ASUN
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,4,1,5,6,2)
Official: R Sanders/A Sarver T-3:05

Thoughts From Head Coach Derek Schwandt
"We responded well in singles to the challenge today. Adversity and tough conditions reveal character."

How It Happened

• The Flames were forced to win two-thirds of the singles matches after losing the doubles point for just the second time in their last six matches. Wilson, junior Chase Burton, sophomore Nicaise Muamba and junior Vince Salas supplied those victories in their respective solo bouts.
• The Bisons dominated the doubles session. Lipscomb's Victor Chaw and Caffarena rolled to a 6-0 victory over Muamba and Burton on court one. The visitors wrapped up the doubles point and a 1-0 lead with a 6-3 win from Pedro Uribe and Michael Tougher against Salas and Steve Mundt of the Flames.
• In the back-and-forth contest, no team ever had a two-point lead at any point during the match. Burton got the hosts on the board with a straight-sets victory (6-2, 6-4) in his No. 3 singles bout with Uribe. The Bisons' Jake Penny countered with a 6-4, 7-5 decision over Flames freshman Ian Sturgill on court four.
• Lipscomb's 2-1 lead did not last long, as No. 101 Muamba (Liberty) knocked off Chaw 7-6 (2), 6-1 in the No. 1 match. Muamba's team-leading 22nd victory of the year evened the match at 2-2.
• Sophomore David Skrabut of the Bisons edged Flames senior captain Eddie Gutierrez in two sets, 6-4, 7-5. Lipscomb led 3-2 following its win on court five.
• In only his fourth singles match of the spring, Salas kept Liberty's hopes alive with a crucial third point. The Angeles, Philippines, native dropped his first set to George Wong by a 6-4 score but rebounded to win back-to-back sets for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph. Salas, who tied the match at 3-all with his win, is 3-1 in spring singles and also has eight doubles victories to his credit.
• Wilson's aforementioned victory was his team-high 13th of the spring. The Liberty rookie is 9-3 at No. 2 singles and 3-0 in ASUN singles matches.
• Liberty is now a perfect 4-0 at home in 2019. Saturday's match marked the Flames' first home outdoor match of the season, following three indoor matches (two at Crosswhite Athletic Club, one at Boonsboro Country Club).

Next Up

• The Flames will look to improve to 4-0 in conference play for a second straight season (started 4-0 in Big South in 2018) when they welcome the Stetson Hatters (9-9, 1-2 ASUN) to Lynchburg on Thursday. Match time is slated for 3 p.m. at the Cook Tennis Center.
• This will be the second-ever meeting between the two schools, but first since 1997. In that matchup 22 years ago, Stetson prevailed 5-0 at home.