RUTLAND, Vt. -- For the first time since joining the Little East Conference in the 2018-19 athletic year, the Castleton men's tennis team secured its first conference tournament appearance with a 5-4 triumph over Southern Maine in Saturday's Senior Day dual.

The team of Miki Almirall and Phil Kluge snagged a point for the Spartans (6-7, 1-5 LEC) via an 8-3 victory as doubles action got underway. The Huskies (1-9, 0-6 LEC) claimed wins at the second and third tandem flights for a 2-1 edge going into singles.

After a 7-5, 6-2 setback at the No. 3 singles flight, the Spartans saw Kluge perfect his Senior Day with a 6-2, 7-5 conquest at the second slot. Top-flight player Almirall won his first set, fell 7-5 in the second, then rallied for a 6-3 tally to even the dual at 3-3. Andy Phelan, another senior, tacked on a 6-3, 6-2 rout at the sixth spot to put Castleton one match away from a clinch. At the fifth flight, Stanley Andersen added the clinching point in 6-4, 6-3 fashion.

The victory marks Castleton's first-ever LEC victory in men's tennis action, snapping a 24-match drought.

The Spartans are the No. 6 seed in next week's LEC Men's Tennis Championship Tournament, traveling to WestConn on Tuesday, April 25. First serve against the Wolves is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.