VALPARAISO, Ind. -- In heartbreaking fashion, the University of North Dakota men's tennis team saw its postseason dreams come to an end in the penultimate match of the season as the Fighting Hawks fell, 6-1, to Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. 

UND (11-11, 2-4 Summit League) was looking to advance to the postseason tournament for the first time since joining the Division I ranks, but the loss, coupled with Illinois State's victory over Oral Roberts, will keep the Hawks just one game short of reaching the championships. 

The Fighting Hawks got off to a strong start as victories on the No. 1 and No. 3 courts in doubles play gave the visitors the early 1-0 lead. Ben Yeacker and Chuck Tang knotted the match up at 1-1 with a 7-5 win at the bottom position before the pairing of Nejc Sitar and Lukas Buth held on for a 7-6 triumph on the top court to push UND in front. 

Despite building the early lead, the Crusaders answered with six straight wins in singles play to rally for the 6-1 victory. Johnnie Carmichael-Plester and Buth each pushed their matches to three sets, but ultimately fell short. 

North Dakota will close out the season on Sunday morning with an Easter showdown at Chicago State beginning at 9 a.m.