BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's tennis team hosted the Methodist University Monarchs on Saturday in the squad's nonconference finale. Playing against the NCAA Division III side, the Cavaliers suffered a 5-2 defeat at Charles D. Owen High School. As a result, Montreat fell to 3-12 on the year.
 
Methodist (8-2) opened the day with a 1-0 advantage after scoring a pair of 6-2 wins on the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles courts. Ibai Lopez and Jorge Cebria won their battle on the third court, 6-4, but the visitors still claimed the doubles point.
 
Kelson Rymer made quick work of his singles opponent at No. 6, capturing both sets by a 6-2 scoreline. Daniel Garcia Estrabot was also victorious on Saturday, bagging a 6-2, 3-1 win after his opponent retired on the second court.
 
The Monarchs won the remaining four singles clashes to secure their 5-2 team triumph. Youssef Idboufous racked up wins in 10 games as his match at No. 3 was the lone bout to need an additional frame. Danel Diez and Ben Smith snagged a trio of games at No. 1 and No. 5, respectively. Lopez won one game on the fourth court.
 
Montreat closes out the regular season on Tuesday with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) battle versus the No. 2-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs. Doubles play is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.