BELMONT, N.C.— Facing an NCAA opponent for the third consecutive match, the Montreat men's tennis team traveled to Belmont, N.C. Tuesday afternoon for a clash against the Belmont Abbey College Crusaders. While the Cavaliers snagged their first singles triumph of the season, they still fell short on the team dual scoreboard, 6-1. With the defeat, Montreat now stands at 0-3.
 
A trio of tight doubles clashes all went the hosts' way. Belmont Abbey (6-11) claimed 6-4 triumphs on the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles courts. Youssef Idboufous and Daniel Garcia Estrabot pushed the Crusaders even further at No. 2, but the home side held on to win, 7-5.
 
Idboufous won the first team point for the Cavs this season after a pair of 6-4 sets in his favor. The Casablanca, Morocco native picked up the win on the third singles court.
 
The other five singles matches lasted two sets as well, but the Crusaders were victorious in each. Ibai Lopez won nine games across two extremely competitive sets at No. 4, while Daniel Garcia Estrabot seized seven games on the second court. Playing at No. 5, Jorge Cebria won six games during his defeat.
 
Montreat begins Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play today with its initial home match of the year. Doubles play between the Johnson University Royals and the Cavaliers is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.