ROME, Ga. -- The Methodist men's tennis team began play at the ITA South Regional Championships, hosted by Berry, on Friday.
 
The day was highlighted by R.J. Clement who played in the main draw of the event. He won his first match of the day, 6-4, 6-3, against Miller Zeiders of Rhodes and followed that up with a victory against Aditya Iyer of N.C. Wesleyan, 6-3, 3-0 before the match was retired due to injury. Clement will face Dane Hawthorne of Sewanee in the Round of 16 tomorrow at 9 am.
 
Coleman Baker picked up a win in the Main Consolation Draw against Owen Taylor by a 6-4, 6-2 count. Baker continued action at the regional event at 9 am on Saturday. Jacob Oehser also won in the consolation draw on Friday and will play again on Saturday morning.
 
In the Gold Draw, Trent Harner earned two wins on the first day of competition. He defeated Alex Wisener of Brimingham Southern by a 6-3, 6-3 count before knocking off Zoe Raymond of Oglethorpe, 2-6, 6-3, 10-7. He will play Jamie Bekaert of Birmingham Southern on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
 
In doubles play, the team of Clement and Baker tallied a win in the Main Draw, 8-5, against Miner and Gooding of Berry, but fell 8-2 to the team from Emory.
 
Methodist returns to play in the regional event tomorrow.