DANVILLE, VA - Avenging last year's conference tournament semifinal defeat, Christopher Newport's men's tennis squad defeated Averett 7-2 Friday afternoon.

CNU improved to 8-8, 2-1 in the USA South, as sophomore Eric Shulman continued his recent roll.

Shulman teamed with Gian Heyer for an 8-3 victory at No. 1 doubles, then earned his ninth victory in his last 10 singles matches by beating Russian Kirill Orlov 6-1, 6-2 at the top spot.

Shulman, ranked No. 5 in the Atlantic South Region, continued on course to qualify for the NCAA Division III tournament. He will do so if he finishes the year in the region's top eight.

Though Averett beat the Captains 5-4 in last year's semifinals in Burlington, N.C., the Cougars brought a far different cast to Friday's matches -- Xavier Ruiz was the only starter returning for Averett (4-6, 2-2 USA South).

With Heyer sitting out singles to rest, Martin Brown rallied past Ruiz 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 at the No. 2 spot -- the Warrenton native's second victory from a set behind in three days.

Dusty Nelson, just as he did in Wednesday's thrilling win over 26th-ranked Mary Washington, also came from a set behind to win. He overcame Ruiz's Ecuadorean countryman Bruno Faidutti 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4.

At Nos. 5 and 6, Kyle Tobin and Tom Whaling lost a combined two games in four sets in overmatching their opponents. Whaling had teamed with Brown for an 8-0 triumph at No. 3 doubles.

David Lembke of Germany played a part in both Averett victories.

The Captains continue their western trip Saturday. They'll play a USA South match at Ferrum at 9 a.m., then get in the van and go to Roanoke, where they'll meet the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Maroons at 2 p.m.

Singles
1. Eric Shulman (CNU) d. Kirill Orlov 6-1, 6-2.
2. Martin Brown (CNU) d. Xavier Ruiz 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
3. David Lembke (A) d. Lorenzo Sison 6-3, 6-4.
4. Dusty Nelson (CNU) d. Bruno Faidutti 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
5. Kyle Tobin (CNU) d. Perry Bason 6-1, 6-0.
6. Tom Whaling (CNU) d. John Thrower 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles
1. Gian Heyer-Shulman (CNU) d. Orlov-Ruiz 8-3.
2. Lembke-Faidutti (A) d. Nelson-Sison 8-6.
3. Brown-Whaling (CNU) d. Bason-Thrower 8-0.

Records
CNU 8-8, 2-1 USA South;
Averett 4-6, 2-2.