by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-The Barton College men's tennis team only lost a total of 11 of 107 total games in a 9-0 dismantling of visiting Averett University on Friday afternoon at the Barton Tennis Complex.
The Bulldogs ended a two match skid to move back to .500 on the season at 4-4 overall. The NCAA Division III Cougars remained winless on the season at 0-5.
Barton constructed a 3-0 lead after doubles with dominating wins at all three flights. Sophomore Max Leppert and freshman Rafael Ruiz Velasco rolled 8-1; sophomore Jorge Pradilla and freshman Nick Genest cruised 8-0; and freshmen Daniel Radu and Mihnea Tomos won 8-2.
Leppert-Velasco and Pradilla-Genest both increased their doubles records to 5-3 in dual matches. The rookie tandem of Radu-Tomos improved to 3-4.
Perfect 6-0, 6-0 wins by Pradilla (5-3) at No. 3 and Genest (4-3) at No. 4 singles clinched the team victory for Barton before the other four Bulldogs followed closely behind. Tomos (3-4) added BC's third perfect singles match at No. 6.
Velasco (7-1) moved up to the top of the Bulldogs lineup for the first time this season and did not disappoint with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph. Velasco leads Barton with seven singles wins.
Leppert (4-4) recorded a 6-2, 6-1 conquest at No. 2 and Radu (4-2) registered a 6-2, 6-0 rout at No. 5 to complete the sweep.
Barton returns to Conference Carolinas competition on Saturday when the Bulldogs entertain Pfeiffer University at 2 p.m.
