NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In an early season matchup between nationally-ranked opponents, the 15th-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops (4-1) defeated 33rd-ranked Christopher Newport (1-2) by a final score of 8-1. In a match much closer than the final score indicates, the Captains battled against their former conference foes. 

CNU did not pick up a win in singles play but in five of the six matches, the Captains either won a set or stretched the Bishops to a seventh game in at least one set. Seniors Nicholas Ruzicka and William Trang each won their first set of the afternoon at No. 4 and 5, respectively, while the third set was settled by only two points. 

The Captains picked up a win in doubles to avoid the shutout as Ryan Macy and Andy Mason combined for a slim 8-7 victory at No. 1 doubles against Roberto Puig and Giannis Brokakis. Ths Bishops snared wins at the other two slots in doubles play to take a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. 

Mason faced Brokakis at No. 1 singles, falling 7-5, 6-2. Dominic Lacombe extended Puig to a 6-4, 7-5 final at No. 2 and Macy fell to Adi Iyer at No. 3, 7-5, 6-3. The Captains seniors nearly missed picking up points for the Captains as Ruzicka fell to Jesus Gil at No.4, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5 and Trang was downed by Juan Vallejo at No. 5, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8. 

The Captains will return to action on Sunday, February 24 against 16th-ranked Johns Hopkins University.