HICKORY, N.C. - In their first home match of the Spring season, the Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Tennis Team (4-1) easily defeated Southern Wesleyan (1-3) in the first of five straight matches against Conference Carolinas opponents. 

The Bears were tested in doubles but earned the point with wins at all three spots. The number one pair of Hamed Gandouz and Shane O'Dea came away with a 6-3 victory, followed by a mirror score in third singles from Rhodri Atkinson/Paul Lenz. Doubles finished with a number two line victory from Mauricio Hernandez and Josh Lazenby by a final score of 7-5.

The Bears would breeze through singles play and complete the sweep of SWU. Gandouz won 6-3, 6-1 and Lenz would win by default after jumping out to an early 2-1 advantage. LR wouldn't drop more than two games in any of the final three singles matchups en route to win number four for the year.

"It was a very pleasing performance from the men today," said Head Coach Tom Rees. "We did not play our best doubles but found a way to win when it mattered. The energy in singles was terrific, as was the support from LR and Hickory communities." 

The Bears return to action on Thursday when they travel to North Greenville at 2 p.m.