Columbus, Ga.----The fifth-seeded and ninth-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs swept through doubles play Monday afternoon, then added a pair of singles victories to clinch a 5-0 win against fourth-seeded and 13th-ranked USC Aiken in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Tournament. Wingate improves to 20-5 overall, advancing to take on top-seeded and third-ranked Columbus State Tuesday. USC Aiken ends its season at 16-7.

"It was a great day for the guys," head coach Michael Cabana says. "We played a great team match and in the process handled some adversity. I was proud of the way we conducted ourselves and rose to a higher level. The guys represented themselves and the university in a first class manner! We look forward to our opportunity Tuesday."

The nation's 26th-ranked doubles duos of Josh DuToit (Charlotte, N.C.) and Daniel Belsito (Charlotte, N.C.) got the day started with an 8-5 win at number one doubles. Sophomore Tamir Geva (Jerusalem, Israel) teamed with freshman Josep Canyadell (Lleida, Spain) for a 9-7 victory at two doubles. Junior Duncan Addison (Halifax, Canada) and freshman Enrico Giacomini (Vicenza, Italy) jumped out to a 7-4 lead at two doubles, but Aiken rallied back to tie it 8-8 before the Bulldogs picked up the win in a tiebreaker to take a 3-0 lead to singles play.

Geva's second win of the day came at number five singles, rolling to a 6-1, 6-4 victory to make it 4-0. Giacomini won the clincher at number three singles, prevailing 6-4 and 6-1 to send the Bulldogs onto round two.

Belsito won the first set 6-2 at number one singles when the match was clinched, while Canyadell was in a third set at number two singles. DuToit won the first set at number four singles, then led 5-2 in set two when Giacomini won the clincher, while Addison held a 3-0 lead in the third set at six singles.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday at 1 p.m., taking on number one seed and third-ranked Columbus State with a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in Arizona on the line.