by Kevin Buczek
SALISBURY, N.C.-Barton College split singles competition with host Catawba College but the Indians swept doubles action to earn a 6-3 NCAA Division II Southeast Region victory on Wednesday afternoon at the Johnson Tennis Center.
Sophomore Max Leppert and freshmen Rafael Ruiz Velasco and Nick Genest all won for the Bulldogs, who start 2012-13 at 0-1 overall.
The Indians remained perfect on the early season at 3-0 by squeaking out wins in all three doubles matches including a narrow 9-7 victory over Leppert and Velasco in the top draw.
Barton's rally in singles was thwarted with straight set wins by Catawba in the bottom two matchups. Indian Pierce Hoover rallied past Jorge Pradilla (6-7, 6-2, 6-3) at No. 3 to give the hosts an extra team point.
Leppert had little trouble in the top flight for the Bulldogs winning 6-3, 6-1. Velasco and Genest both earned their first collegiate dual match victories in straight sets. Velasco won 6-4, 7-5 in the second position and Genest provided a 7-6, 6-0 triumph in the fourth slot.
Barton men's tennis next competes in the Methodist University Invitational in Fayetteville, N.C., over the weekend of October 5-7.