MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat men's tennis team made history at home Sunday afternoon, defeating the No. 6 Union College Bulldogs by a score of 5-2 to claim the program's first-ever victory over Union. With the win, No. 10 Montreat improved to 4-6 overall and began Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play with a triumph.
 
The Cavaliers started strong, collecting the doubles point thanks to a pair of wins at No. 2 and No. 3. Ryan Little and Anouar Braham recorded a 6-3 win over their opposition, while Denilson Martinez and Marcos Castares clinched the 1-0 lead in the match with a 6-4 scoreline at No. 3.
 
In singles play, the teams split the first four matches, with the Cavs taking two matchups in straight sets. Adam Nagoudi, who is ranked 25^th in the country individually, took down the No. 20-ranked singles player in the NAIA, Gerhard Swart, with 6-2, 6-4 set scores. Castares also notched a win in two sets 6-1, 6-2 in the final singles slot.
 
With the competition still hanging in the balance and Montreat leading 3-2, the Cavaliers utilized two three-set triumphs to close out the win. Martinez captured a 6-2 victory in the third set at No. 2 after his opponent forced a decisive set, while Luigi Moretti added two 6-4 wins to help the Cavs beat Union 5-2.
 
The victory marked the first time the Cavaliers have ever defeated Union, where head coach Mic Moore played during his undergraduate tenure and assisted for the following two seasons prior to his arrival at Montreat in 2019. Union (12-3, 3-1 AAC) saw its 10-match win streak snapped at the hands of the Cavs with Sunday's match.
 
Men's tennis looks to continue its impressive season with an AAC matchup at Reinhardt on Thursday. First serve of doubles is expected at 1:00 p.m.
 
 
No. 10 Montreat College 5, No. 6 Union College 2
Doubles:
1. (UC) def. #15 Adam Nagoudi/Luigi Moretti (MONT) 6-4
2. Ryan Little/Anouar Braham (MONT) def. (UC) 6-3
3. Denilson Martinez/Marcos Castares (MONT) def. (UC) 6-4
Singles:
1. #25 Adam Nagoudi (MONT) def. #20 Gerhard Swart (UC) 6-2, 6-4
2. Denilson Martinez (MONT) def. Sebastiano Zorzi (UC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
3. Simon Campos (UC) def. Anouar Braham (MONT) 7-6, 7-6
4. #45 Luigi Moretti (MONT) def. Diaz (UC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
5. Sergio Lizarraga (UC) def. Ryan Little (MONT) 6-4, 7-5 (10-7)
6. Marcos Castares (MONT) def. Victor Lopes (UC) 6-1, 6-2