Hickory, N.C.----The 26th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs opened South Atlantic Conference play with a 9-0 victory at Lenoir-Rhyne University Tuesday afternoon in men’s tennis action. The preseason SAC favorites improve to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the SAC, while the Bears fall to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

The Bulldogs swept the three doubles matches on Tuesday. Sophomore Neal Towlson (Warwick, Bermuda) and freshman Roberto Hennis (Raleigh, N.C.) won 9-7 in number one doubles. Freshman Kennedy Cancelado (Miami Springs, Fla.) and junior Ryan Forbes (Charlotte, N.C.) cruised to an 8-1 win in number two doubles, while sophomore Josh Eardley (Newcastle, England) teamed with freshman Sebastian Hall (Lorrach, Germany) for an 8-0 victory at number three doubles.

Cancelado won a tight match in number one singles. After winning the first set 6-2, he lost 7-5 in the second to send the match to a third set tiebreaker. Cancelado won 10-7 to secure his second win of the day. Towlson dropped the first set of his match 6-4, then won 6-2 in the second to force a tiebreaker, which he won 11-9.

Hennis cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win at number three singles, while Hall won 6-0, 6-0 at number four singles. Forbes won the first set in number five singles 6-3, then after losing 6-3 in the second, won the tiebreaker 10-7. Eardley notched a 6-1, 6-2 victory at number six singles to finish off the sweep for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are back in action Thursday, traveling to Belmont Abbey for a 2:30 p.m. start.