NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University improved to 3-2 and began a busy stretch of men's tennis play with a 7-2 home-court victory Friday over Atlantic South Region rival Washington College of Chestertown, Md.

Matt King, an Australian in his first year at CNU, clinched the victory for the Captains with a 6-1, 6-2 singles victory at No. 4.

The Captains went ahead 2-1 in doubles with victories by King and Garrett Widing at No. 1 and Eric Shulman and Dusty Nelson at No. 2. The Shoremen prevailed at No. 3.

Widing earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 3, and then a pair of comebacks left CNU ahead 4-2.

Washington's Adam Cranford rallied from a 5-2 second-set deficit to upset Shulman 0-6, 7-5, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, but Captains freshman Joey Manilla patiently came back from 3-0 behind in the second set to defeat tricky left-hander Joel Novick 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5.

That set up King to clinch the match, and No. 2 Gian Heyer and No. 6 Lorenzo Sison completed the day with straight-sets triumphs.

CNU next will travel to North Carolina on Friday to face Guilford and USA South opponent Greensboro.

CNU 7, WASHINGTON COLLEGE (Md.) 2
Doubles
1. Matt King-Garrett Widing (C) d. Kyle Lisco-Kristian Wilson 8-2.
2. Dusty Nelson-Eric Shulman (C) d. Aaron Ellison-Kevin Papen 8-5.
3. Adam Cranford-Marc Cywinski (W) d. Gian Heyer-Joey Manilla 8-5.

Singles
1. Cranford (W) d. Shulman 0-6, 7-5, 6-2.
2. Heyer (C) d. Papen 7-5, 6-1.
3. Widing (C) d. Ellison 6-3, 6-4.
4. King (C) d. Lisco 6-1, 6-2.
5. Manilla (C) d. Joel Novick 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
6. Lorenzo Sison (C) d. John Menzione 6-3, 6-1.

Records
WC 2-2, CNU 3-2.