No. 22 NC State men’s tennis started conference play with a bang, sweeping Virginia Tech 7-0 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
As the first leg of its two-match trip in the state of Virginia, the Wolfpack (8-3) put on a dominant performance against the Hokies (7-2). Despite the sweep, the match remained competitive throughout, but the red-and-white always found ways to outdo Virginia Tech at every turn.
The Hokies took it to NC State from the very jump with an intense doubles round. With close matches on all three courts, the Wolfpack eventually squeaked out a 7-6 win on court three courtesy of juniors Fons Van Sambeek and Braden Shick and a 7-5 victory on court one thanks to seniors Robin Catry and Luca Staeheli.
The No. 22 pair of junior Joseph Wayand and sophomore Martin Borisiouk were stuck in a 6-6 battle with their opponents on court two when Catry and Staheli clinched the point, sending NC State to the singles round with a 1-0 lead.
No. 109 Shick captured the first singles win of the day, beating his opponent 6-4, 6-4 on court two. Just after, No. 61 Catry earned a ranked win in one of the three three-setters of the day. The senior downed Virginia Tech’s No. 59 Ryan Fishback 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 to put the Pack in clinch position.
Van Sambeek clinched the red-and-white’s first ACC win of the season after edging his opponent out in a match-sealing second set tiebreaker. The junior ultimately took court three 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
With a 4-0 lead, junior Damien Salvestre followed Van Sambeek’s suit by also taking his match in a second set tiebreak. With his tense 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) win on court five, Salvestre won the final two-set match of the afternoon.
Staeheli earned the Pack’s next point. While he won via opponent retirement, the senior was leading 6-4, 4-6, 4-1 before play was stopped.
To finish off the sweep, No. 124 Wayand split his first two sets before taking his third set. The junior won via a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 final decision.
NC State is set to remain in Virginia for a date with the Cavaliers on Sunday, March 3. First serve against the formidable No. 8 Cavs is set for 1 p.m. in Charlottesville, Virginia.
