This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Jake Deitcher.

It appeared almost too easy Saturday for the men’s tennis team.

The Colonials beat Charlotte 4-0 – the second match in a row in which they has failed to lose a point – setting the stage for a fourth straight appearance in the Atlantic 10 title game.

But if you look more closely at the sweep, head coach Greg Munoz said, GW gritted out a win.

“It really wasn’t dominance. Several of the matches that were suspended after we clinched the victory could’ve gone either way and then it could have been a four to three match,” Munoz said. “You go through the tournament and there are different emotions and conditions on each day. You can’t look at the day before. Today we were the stronger and better team.”

The Colonials last defeated the 49ers two weeks ago, 5-1, showing similar strength as they did in today’s semifinal victory.

Senior Leo Lapentti and sophomore Francisco Dias earned a quick 8-2 victory from the No. 3 doubles position, giving GW the early 1-0 lead.

The Colonials’ top two singles players set the tone early with their strong and aggressive play. Fomin won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, from the No. 1 singles position, while Dias also convincingly beat his No. 2 singles opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Junior Ulrik Thomsen would be the one to clinch the finals berth for GW, defeating his No. 5 singles opponent, 6-3, 6-4.

The win set ups a dramatic rematch Sunday against the only team in the conference to beat the Colonials: VCU.

Munoz said he sees the Rams as a more than formidable opponent, and acknowledged that VCU likely has similar views of GW.

“They are the number one seed and they earned it,” Munoz said. “I think we played at their level last time and it was very close. They probably underestimated us that time but they won’t now and they are going to be ready.  We will bring our best energy and bring our best on the court.”