FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist's men's tennis team rolled to a 9-0 non-conference victory over visiting Piedmont College on Sunday afternoon, recording their first win of the season with the shutout victory.

The Monarchs entered the match at the Clayton Tennis Center with an 0-7 record, but had also not yet played a fellow Division III opponent. Saturday's first D-III pairing ended without Methodist dropping even one set.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Piedmont, 9-0
Records: Methodist 1-7, Piedmont 0-7
Location: Clayton Tennis Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The tone for the match was set right from the start as Methodist's trio of doubles pairings swept their matches, allowing the Lions to capture just a combined four games across the three courts.
• Singles action was just as dominant for Methodist, beginning with Jordan Theron's quick 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 over Medlock Houston.
• The clinching fifth point came from the 3-singles court where Trent Harner finished off Chris Bale by a 6-1, 6-0 count.
• Henry Blanco was just as solid at No. 4, winning 1 and 1, while Hayden Wilfong at No. 5 played to a straight-set 2 and 4 win and Coleman Baker at 6-singles won 2 and 1.
• Henry Murray won in straight sets at No. 2, but Piedmont's Bryce VanOrder put up a fight before eventually falling 7-5, 6-3 to Wilfong.

UP NEXT
Methodist will open USA South Athletic Conference play in its next match, squaring off against visiting William Peace University at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Tennis Center.