Men’s Tennis defeated Gate City Foe Guilford College

GREENSBORO The North Carolina A&T men’s tennis team made quick work of its Gate City brethren Friday with a 7-0 win over the Guilford College Quakers at the Piedmont Indoor Center. After losing their first game of the season this week, the Aggies got back to winning ways and improved to 14-1 on the season. The Quakers fell to 6-8 on the season.

A&T duo No. 1 Vasil Ivanov and Esteban López defeated Andres Mercedes and Tye Sasser 8-3. But Lopez didn’t play in her usual No. 1 singles position. Instead, Ivanov played at number 1. Ivanov beat Mercedes 6-1, 6-1. It was his ninth career start as the Aggies’ first baseman, where he is now 3-6. Ivanov improved to 12-1 on the season and 45-26 in his career, making him five of 50 singles wins.

“It was a big effort from our team today, starting in doubles and moving into singles,” Ivanov said. “I’m happy with the result and the energy everyone played with. We have to keep that mindset and focus on the next game.”

The Aggies took the doubleheader Alex Martinez and Eder white defeated Drake Schreiber and Rishi Halukurike 8-1 at No. 2 doubles. The win snapped the tandem’s two-match losing streak as they improved to 8-6 on the season. Martinez also beat Emmanuel Oye 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 singles. Martinez improved to 12-2 on the season.

Blanco also won at No. 3 singles. Blanco improved to 12-2 overall and 2-0 in singles with a 6-1, 6-1 straight win over Sasser.

“I played aggressively, I didn’t give my opponent a chance, and I gave him the respect he deserved,” Blanco said. “I’m really happy with today’s performance and ready for the next matches.”

A&T swept the double Ian Pedersen and Ethan Balyn 8-3 wins over Rylan Tuten and Evan Wong, 8-3 at No. 3 doubles.When Baly was called up, he has lost just once this season. He beat Dominik Pocnja 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles on Friday. He is 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles. He is 2-0 on the team with Pedersen.

Meanwhile, Pedersen played in singles for the first time this season as he beat Schreiber 6-0, 6-0.

“I worked on a few things that I thought went well and my serve was on point,” Pedersen said. “In the doubles, we played a good match, a little sloppy at the beginning, but we finished strong.”

A&T continues to build toward the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) men’s tennis championships from 27-30. April at the Mackesy Tennis Courts in Williamsburg, Va. The Aggies are scheduled to play The Citadel on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Sumter, SC. They still have three regular season games left before the tournament.