Box Score
 
 
DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's tennis dropped its USA South Conference opener to Methodist Universty 7-2 on Friday afternoon at the Averett Tennis Courts.
 
Averett (3-1, 0-1 USA South) and Methodist (3-1, 1-0 USA South) were locked in several tight battles in singles play. Three singles matches went to three sets. Sophomore James Wright gave Averett its lone singles victory at the No. 3 spot. Despite losing the first set 7-5, Wright fought back to win 6-4 and 10-8. Freshmen Oliver Lindqvist and Ariel Prieto each won their first set in their respective matches before falling in three.
 
The Cougars earned one victory in doubles play. At the No. 1 position, Wright and Lindqvist teamed up to edge Methodist's Taylor Buchholz and John Dangerfield 9-8. The Cougars also had a tight match at No. 2 doubles, but the Monarchs' tandem of Teal Howard and R.J. Clement broke serve and pulled off an 8-6 win over junior Nicolas Quevedo and freshman Abdugani Ganiev.
 
Averett returns to action when the Cougars travel to face Maryville College on Sunday in a rescheduled match from Feb. 20.