The William Carey University men’s tennis team finished a perfect 3-0 at the SSAC Round-Up held in Montgomery, Alabama, with victories over Abraham Baldwin, UT-Southern, and Blue Mountain Christian.
The Crusaders opened Thursday at Lagoon Park with a 6-1 win against Abraham Baldwin Christian College. Carey’s doubles team swept all three matches to secure the first point. Vinh Nguyen then edged a 7-6 first set at No. 1 singles before winning the second 6-1 to extend the lead. Islam Orynbassar added a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles, bringing Carey closer to clinching the match.
ABAC stayed in the match when Luka Blanche defeated his opponent 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3 singles. However, Simon Muntwyler sealed the win for Carey with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 5 singles. Leo Phijidvijan and Jean Nicolas Leblanc also secured singles wins, with Phijidvijan winning 6-2, 6-3, and Leblanc earning a 6-2, 6-4, 10-2 victory.
On Friday, against UT-Southern, the Firehawks took the doubles point but Carey responded with wins from Muntwyler and Nguyen at singles to even the match. Phil Louis Steinbichler’s 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 6 singles put Carey ahead. Phijidvijan clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles, and Leblanc closed out the contest with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 3.
The Crusaders completed their weekend sweep Saturday against Blue Mountain Christian. They swept doubles again and secured singles wins from Leblanc, Muntwyler, and Steinbichler, each with 6-0, 6-0 scores. Phijidvijan added a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 5 singles, with Orynbassar and Nguyen also winning in straight sets. The team is set to return to action on April 1, hosting Loyola University in SSAC play.
