MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Shaw University men's tennis team went 4-0 against their CIAA opponents Virginia State and Chowan over the weekend at the Hawks Tennis Complex.
The Bears defeated Virginia State twice, winning both matches 7-2 and 7-2 in both of their matches on Friday, March 15. The Bears turned around and defeated Chowan University 5-3 and 6-2 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
In singles action, the Bears were led by top seeds Charles Silva, Sergio Cuartas and Juan Sanchez, who all picked up straight-set victories over Virginia State in the first match. Silva won his match, 6-1, 6-0. Cuartas won his match, 6-1, 6-3. Sanchez picked up a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
In doubles, the Bears won two of the three matches. The duo of Silva and Cuartas defeated the VSU team of Matthew Brown and Nicholas Pfab 8-2. Sanchez and Samuel Padilla picked up an 8-4 win to help seal the victory for the Bears.
In the second match against Virginia State, the top three singles seeds all picked up critical straight set victories. Silva was tested a bit but held off Brown 7-5, 6-1. Cuartas also won a tight contest, holding off Pfab 6-1, 7-6 (8-6). Sanchez earned a 6-3, 6-1 victory to help the Bears.
Also winning in singles action for Shaw was Andre Monti (6-0, 6-2) and Padilla (6-1, 6-2).
In doubles action, the Shaw duo of Silva and Cuartas defeated VSU's duo of Brown and Pfab, winning 8-4. Sanchez and Padilla cruised to an 8-3 victory over Virginia State's Evan Dirksen and K'Wmane Tonkins.
Against Chowan, Silva, Cuartas and Padilla earned the singles victories for the Bears. Silva defeated CU's Pedro Aiala 6-0, 6-3. Cuartas defeated Ivan Doubograev 6-3, 6-4. Padilla earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jaqwese Williams.
In doubles, Silva and Cuartas teamed up to down Aiala and Danilo Galovic, 8-6. Sanchez and Padilla won over Chowan's Doubograev and Sasha Kirsanov, 9-7.
In the second match against Chowan, played on Sunday afternoon, Silva defeated Aiala 6-2, 6-3. Cuartas won his match after Doubograev retired in the second set. Sanchez defeated Kirsanov 6-1, 6-4.
In doubles, Silva/Cuartas beat Aiala and Galovic again, winning 8-6. Sanchez and Padilla defeated Doubograev and Kirsanov 8-2.
The Bears will be off for a few days and won't return to action until March 27 when they host CIAA foe Johnson C. Smith at Biltmore Hills Park in Raleigh.
