GALESBURG, Ill. - Union College pulled off quite possibly the biggest win in program history with a 4-3 dramatic victory over host NCAA Division I Western Illinois University Sunday.

"The guys played hard and used a lot of heart to pull out this win," said Union coach Daniel Finn.

Union and Western Illinois split the singles matches 3-3, but the Bulldogs won two of the three doubles match for the point and win. Per NCAA Division I rules, one point is award to the team which wins at least two of the doubles matches.

The outcome rested on the No. 3 singles match, which was the final one to be completed. WIU's Mandela Shepard took the first set from Pierre Vernin (Le Coteau, France) 7-6, winning the tie-breaker 8-6. The second set went to a tie-breaker as well and Shepard was up 4-2 before Vernin rallied back to take the tie-breaker 8-6 to win the set 7-6.

Vernin then dominated the third set, winning it 6-0 to win the match and giving Union the 4-3 victory.

"Pierre really came through in a big way for us," said Finn.

Union is now 1-1 overall, while Western Illinois is 0-4 on the season.

Bartos Micher (Germany) and Alvaro Vargas (Manizales, Columbia) won their singles matches. Micher defeated Francisco Ortiz 6-4, 6-0, while Vargas edged Patrick Hammers 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

In doubles action, Vernin and Nicolas Ernst (Rietheim, Germany) beat Ortiz and Jeff Cote in a 9-7 battle, while Micher and Vargas won 8-5 over Shepard and Alejardro Buceta.