DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University men's tennis team fell 8-1 to No. 33 N.C. Wesleyan College on Tuesday evening at the Averett Tennis Courts in USA South Conference action. 
 
Defending conference champion N.C. Wesleyan (5-5, 3-0 USA South) took an early advantage after claiming all three doubles matches. Averett (5-2, 1-2 USA South) battled in singles play and put up an impressive effort against the Battling Bishops, who are also ranked No. 5 in the region.
 
Freshman Abdugani Ganiev clinched a three-set victory in the No. 5 slot, defeating Mikhail Konnov 6-3, 4-6, 10-6. Freshman Oliver Lindqvist and sophomore James Wright also worked to keep their contests close at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots, respectively. N.C. Wesleyan's Sebastian Sikh only topped Linqvist 6-4, 7-5 while Mark Sokolov beat Wright by a small 7-5, 7-5 margin.
 
The Cougars hit the courts again on Saturday, March 19, as they travel to Georgia to face conference foe Covenant College.