FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist men's tennis team kicked off USA South play on Wednesday afternoon, taking on No. 34 North Carolina Wesleyan University and falling 7–0 at the Gene Clayton Tennis Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final scores: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 7–0
Records: Methodist 7–4 (0–1 USA South); N.C. Wesleyan 8–3 (1–0 USA South)
Location: Gene Clayton Tennis Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- North Carolina Wesleyan secured the doubles point, but that didn't stop Methodist from pushing the Battling Bishops.
- After a 6–0 decision at No. 3 doubles, the No. 2 tandem of Matthew Hurley and Decklan Rayner battled before falling 4–6 to Albert Sitwell and Farhaan Patrawala. At the top spot, Harry Crokam and Aaron Zoubek tested Adam Singleton and Diego Villafane in a tightly contested match before dropping a 5–7 decision.
- In singles play, the Battling Bishops extended their lead with wins at No. 3 and No. 4. Rayner and Zoubek each fell by identical 4–6, 1–6 scores.
- At the No. 1 position, Hurley dropped a straight-set decision to Singleton, marking just his second loss of the spring season.
- Freshman Billy Johnson fell 2–6, 1–6 at No. 5 singles, while Harry Crokam delivered the Monarchs' strongest showing of the day at No. 2. Crokam took the opening set against nationally ranked, 45th, Sitwell before ultimately falling in three sets, 6–3, 2–6, 1–6.
- Freshman Andrew Waddill rounded out the match at No. 6 singles, dropping a 3–6, 1–6 decision.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns to action on Thursday, March 26, hosting the University of Lynchburg. First serve is scheduled for 2 PM.
