FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.—The Southern Virginia University men's tennis team defeated the regionally ranked Monarchs of Methodist University 6-3 on a sunny Saturday morning.

The Knights (9-1) were ranked one spot behind the Monarchs (6-10) in the latest ITA rankings heading into the match.

In doubles, Methodist drew first blood with an 8-2 win at the No. 3 doubles spot. The Knights responded with an 8-7(1) win at the No. 1 flight, and an 8-6 win at No. 2 to take a 2-1 lead.

In singles, the Monarchs were able to take back the lead, downing Southern Virginia at both the No. 5 and 6 spots 6-0, 6-2 and 6-0, 6-0 respectively.

Daniel Blonquist was then able to tie it up with a big win at No. 3, 6-2, 6-2.
Kukutla Motlojoa followed with a straight sets win of his own, 7-5, 6-4 giving the Knights the lead 4-3.

Needing only one more point to win the match, both Ben Spencer and Paul Monson headed into a third set ten-point tiebreaker at No. 4 and 1. Spencer finished first, clinching the match for Southern Virginia 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 with Monson quickly following with a 6-2, 5-7, 10-2 victory to win the match 6-3.

The Knights return to action as they'll match up with the Maroons of Roanoke College on the 1st of April at 4 p.m.