WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Grace men's tennis team opened up the season in brilliant fashion knocking off fierce rivals No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan and Bethel on Saturday.

The first match of the day saw the Lancers (2-0, 2-0 CL) jump out to an early lead on their way to a straight set victory over the Pilots. Ramiro Candia and Nicolas Doria worked quickly at No. 3 doubles, winning 6-2. Facundo Paredes and Ivan Antinori secured the doubles point for Grace taking their set 6-3.

In singles matches, Paredes needed a third set to secure his point in the No. 1 spot 6-2, 6-7(1), 10-6.

David Sandi notched the victory at No. 2 singles, defeating his opponent 7-6 (2), 6-2.

Javier Gallego made his Lancer debut, winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. Pablo Gregori earned his point taking No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-4.

After securing the doubles point, Candia and Doria each made quick work at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Both won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, and 6-0, 6-0, respectively.

In the afternoon matchup with No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan, Grace avenged their loss from last year's conference tournament finals, defeating the Wildcats 6-1.

The Lancers got off to a fast start taking No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to secure the first point of the match.

To get things started in singles action, Doria tallied first in the No. 6 slot in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. He was followed by Candia at No. 5, 6-1, 6-0.
Gregori notched his point 6-3, 6-4. Gallego made quick work in his matchup, 6-0, 6-1 and Sandi defeated his foe 6-4, 6-3, to win at No. 2 doubles.

The final set to finish was No. 1 singles with Paredes falling in three sets, but the match had already been clinched by the Lancers.

"Today was great validation of the hard work and continued improvement we have made in our program," said coach Andy Lewis. "It was a great team effort."

Grace will host another Crossroads League doubleheader on Wednesday, September 7, against Saint Francis and Mount Vernon, starting at 9am.  

BETHEL MATCH
DOUBLES

1. Paredes/Antinori def. Bonsergent/Flores, 6-3
2. Gallego/Gregori vs. Almeida/Troyer, DNF
3. Candia/Doria def. Bos/Miller, 6-2

SINGLES

1. Paredes def. Bonsergent, 6-2, 6-7 (1), 10-6
2. Sandi def. Flores, 7-6 (2), 6-2
3. Gallego def. Almeida, 6-1, 6-1
4. Gregori def. Troyer, 6-1, 6-4
5. Candia def. Miller, 6-1, 6-1
6. Doria def. Hostetler, 6-0, 6-0

INDIANA WESLEYAN MATCH
DOUBLES

1. Paredes/Antinori vs. Sewatska, DNF
2. Gallego/Gregori def. Steiner/Gray, 6-4
3. Candia/Doria def. Murphy/Fuqua, 6-1

SINGLES

1. Steiner def. Paredes, 2-6, 6-4, 10-6
2. Sandi def. Sewatska, 6-4, 6-3
3. Gallego def. Gray, 6-0, 6-1
4. Gregori def. Tixhton, 6-3, 6-4
5. Candia def. Fuqua, 6-1, 6-0
6. Doria def. Wagner, 6-0, 6-2