NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the second time in three matches, the Christopher Newport men's tennis team secured a one-point win against a perennial power as the Captains dispatched of Averett University, 5-4, on Saturday evening. The Captains improved to 5-0 for just the fourth time in program history with the victory while the Cougars fall to 0-2. 

Ryan Macy put together a pivotal performance for the Captains at No. 1 singles and doubles and proved to be the difference as he clinched the match in three sets on the top line. Playing in just his second ever match at No. 1 singles, the senior outlasted the Averett veteran 7-5, 1-6, 6-3. Figueroa was ranked 17th in the 2021 Atlantic South Regional Rankings and was a 2021 NCAA National Qualifier. 

Macy also appeared with Alec Strause on the top line of doubles competition, edging out Martinho Goncalves and Rufus Nurminem, 8-6. CNU took two of three doubles bouts, earning the key one-point advantage heading into singles action after Bently Goodwin and Ahun Vodela paired for the win at No. 2 doubles, 8-3. They defeated Shori Nishizoe and Figueroa for the Captains' second point. 

In singles, Strause raced away from Nishizoe for the point at No. 2 (6-1, 6-1) and Eddy Porsmyr Hansen also won in straight sets against Stan Martherus at No. 3 (6-4, 6-4). Averett drew even with wins on lines 4-6, however, and put the decisive point in the hands of the two player at No. 1.

Christopher Newport is 5-0 for the first time since 2007 when the Captains opened with five straight victories before their first loss. In 2002, CNU started the year with eight straight and the record for the longest win streak to open a season came in 1978 when CNU was 15-0. 

The Captains will return to action in California when CNU takes it's annual cross-country trip to the Golden State to face Occidental, Cal Lutheran, Whittier, and Redlands from February 27-March 4.