NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Eric Shulman and Gian Heyer continued to mow down singles opponents, but Christopher Newport succumbed 7-2 to North Carolina Wesleyan in men's tennis Thursday.

N.C. Wesleyan (9-1, 3-0 USA South), the 10th-ranked team in NCAA Division III, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, swept three pulsating doubles matches as CNU experimented with a new lineup.

Alexey Rumyantsev and Clayton Sonn broke serve for a 4-3 lead and went to beat Robbie Wagner and Douglas Freeman High graduate Tom Whaling 8-4 at No. 3.

CNU's Dusty Nelson and Lorenzo Sison led 6-4 and had a game point serving, but the Bishops' Marcelo Prata and Artsiom Prostak rallied for a 9-7 victory at No. 2.

In the last doubles off the court, Anton Filonov and Antti Saari won an 8-6 duel of touch, savvy and power at No. 1 against Heyer and Shulman.

In singles, Shulman avenged a loss from last year by pounding Saari 6-1, 6-2. Shulman is ranked fifth in the South Atlantic Region and hasn't lost since the list was published.

Since starting the year 1-4 -- all against Division I opponents -- Shulman has gone 8-1 versus D-III foes in No. 1 matches. If the Deep Run High graduate continues at this pace, he easily will qualify for the national singles tournament.

Heyer defeated Saari's fellow Finn, Jalle Nikunen, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 in an all-European matchup at No. 2.

Heyer, from Lugano, Switzerland, is 11-3 this season, including 8-1 against Division III opposition. He is likely to move up from his No. 17 regional ranking soon.

The Bishops, showcasing amazing depth, won the third through sixth singles in straight sets. They have starters from five countries and are virtually certain to be the top seed in the USA South Athletic Conference tournament April 16-18 in Burlington, N.C.

CNU, the favorite to gain the No. 2 seed, will return to action at 1:30 p.m. Friday against Averett in Danville -- its first of three matches in two days.

N.C. WESLEYAN 7, CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 2
Doubles
1. Anton Filonov-Antti Saari (NCWC) d. Gian Heyer-Eric Shulman 8-6.
2. Marcelo Prata-Artsiom Prostak (NCWC) d. Dusty Nelson-Lorenzo Sison 9-7.
3. Alexey Rumyantsev-Clayton Sonn (NCWC) d. Robbie Wagner-Tom Whaling 8-4.

Singles
1. Shulman (CNU) d. Saari (NCWC) 6-1, 6-2.
2. Heyer (CNU) d. Jalle Nikunen (NCWC) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0.
3. Rumyantsev (NCWC) d. Martin Brown 6-3, 6-0.
4. Fred Lemongo (NCWC) d. Sison 6-3, 6-2.
5. Prostak (NCWC) d. Nelson 6-1, 6-2.
6. Sonn (NCWC) d. Kyle Tobin 6-0, 6-0.

Records
NCWC 9-1, 3-0 USA South, No. 10 in NCAA Division III;
CNU 7-8, 1-1.