BELMONT, N.C. – Taking to the courts for the last time this weekend, Averett University men's tennis matched up with schools North Carolina Wesleyan University and hosts Belmont Abbey College to conclude the Belmont Abbey College Invitational on Saturday.

The Cougars met a familiar foe in the morning session, playing a group of matches versus former USA South Conference member North Carolina Wesleyan University. Averett took three out of five from the Battling Bishops. Sophomore Lucas Fiandra teamed up with senior Alex Rudy for the first time this fall, and comfortably took care of Joey Govenlock and Siddarth Madhavan by a 6-3 scoreline. On the singles side, Fiandra took a second victory from Madhavan, 6-4, 6-2, while sophomore Roger Pamies Petit defeated Darko Petrovic, 6-2, 6-2.

As the morning flipped to afternoon, Averett and Division-II Belmont Abbey faced off for the second time in over 24 hours, facing off for two doubles and three singles flight matches. Doubles was swept by the Cougars, highlighted by a 6-0 sweep from Rudy and sophomore Satwik Kollepalli versus the Crusaders' Zachary Amrehaye and Joseph Rowzie. In the singles portion, Averett won two out of a possible three, with Pamies Petit and Rudy knocking off the likes of Rowzie and Amrehaye, respectively. Pamies Petit did so by winning 6-2, 6-2, while Rudy completed his bout in flawless style, not dropping a single game with a 6-0, 6-0 win. 

On Saturday as a whole, Averett collected a 7-3 record versus its opponents. The opening weekend for the Cougars was ultimately a success, as the team collectively went 12-8 in their singles and doubles matches. 

With play concluded, the Cougars take their sights to the Methodist University Invitational next weekend. Play is set to run on Friday, Sept. 5 through Saturday, Sept. 6.