Wingate, N.C.----The second-ranked and defending national champion Columbus State University Cougars downed the fifth-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs 6-1 in NCAA Division II men's tennis action Saturday afternoon. The Cougars improve to 8-1 overall, while Wingate falls to 6-2 on the year, dropping its first match to an NCAA Division II opponent this season.

THOUGHTS FROM MICHAEL CABANA

"The men battled hard today. I don't think the final score tells the tale of how close this match really was. We will use this to drive us forward!"

DOUBLES

- CSU's top-ranked doubles team downed Daniel Belsito and Josep Canyadell 6-2
- Enrico Giacomini and Roy Stepanov dropped a tight 6-4 match at two doubles
- Duncan Addison teamed with Matthew Jones for a 6-4 victory at three doubles

SINGLES

- Belsito dropped a 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 match at one singles to the top-ranked player in the nation
- Jones fell 4-6, 6-2, 1-6 to the nation's 27th-ranked player at two singles
- Stepanov dropped a 5-7, 2-6 match at three singles to the number 25 player in the nation
- Canyadell fell in a tight 6-3, 6-7, 2-6 contest at four singles
- Freshman Tolunay Sumer prevailed 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 at five singles
- Giacomini fell 5-7, 2-6 at six singles

UP NEXT

- Wingate is back in action Tuesday, hosting Limestone at 2 p.m.
- The Bulldogs return to SAC play at Anderson next Saturday at 2 p.m.