23rd-ranked NCWC cruises past CNU, women drop close match

Rocky Mount, NC - Freshman Marcelo Prata (pictured) picked up a 9-7 win at #2 doubles and a 6-4, 6-2 win at #4 singles to help lead his 23rd-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan men's tennis team to a dominating 8-1 win over Christopher Newport on Tuesday afternoon in Rocky Mount. On the women's side, sophomore Jaime Galasso was an 8-6 winner at #1 doubles and a 6-0, 6-1 winner at #1 singles as her Bishops dropped a hardfought 6-3 decision to the Lady Captains.

With the victory, the Bishop men improve to 8-0 overall, 2-0 in USA South play. Wesleyan's women now stand at 1-9 on the season, 0-4 in league action.

The day started with the women's match, and the Bishops jumped out to a 2-1 lead in doubles play. Galasso teamed with Leila Heinonen to win at the top seed, while the duo of Tija Riley and Juliana Richardson earned an 8-3 win at the third slot. Unfortunately, the Captains managed five singles wins at #2 through #6 to take the match.

The much-anticipated men's match followed and did not disappoint the several Bishop fans in attendance. Wesleyan took a 2-1 lead in doubles play as Prata teamed with Davit Minasyan for a win at the second seed. Ilpo Kautonen and Anton Filonov were also winners, turning in an 8-0 sweep at the third slot.

CNU's lone point came at #1 doubles where Eric Shulman and teammate Dusty Nelson were 8-4 winners over NCWC's Antti Saari and Alexey Rumyantsev.

Saari and Rumyantsev, however, sought revenge in singles play as both recorded victories. Saari was a 6-4, 5-7, 10-5 winner over Shulman at the top seed, while Rumyantsev won in straights over Lorenzo Sison 6-0, 6-2.

Minasyan, Prata, Filonov, and Fred Lemongo were straight-set winners at #3 through #6.

After the match, the Bishops learned that they jumped three spots in the latest ITA national rankings, moving from #26 to #23. Next up for the NCWC men and women is a road trip to Averett University on Thursday. The matches are slated for a 1:00 p.m. start in Danville, VA.