Winston-Salem, NC - In a matchup that will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in program history, the N.C. Wesleyan men's tennis team took on the nation's top-ranked team — NCAA Division I powerhouse and reigning Indoor National Champion, Wake Forest — on Sunday at the Wake Forest Indoor Tennis Center. Despite falling 7-0 to the undefeated Demon Deacons, the Battling Bishops put up a remarkable fight, winning multiple sets and pushing some of the nation's best players to the brink in front of a captivated crowd.
Facing a team that boasts a perfect 19-0 record and holds the title as the No. 1 program in Division I, the Bishops showed why NCWU is a perennial contender at the Division III level. Wesleyan not only competed with the best, but managed to win three sets in singles play and pushed a pair of doubles matches into tiebreakers — an incredible feat against such elite competition.
Doubles Recap
In doubles, the Bishops' top duo of Luca Knese and Albert Sitwell fell 6-2 at the No. 1 spot, but the No. 2 and No. 3 pairs put Wake Forest on notice. Diego Segovia and Bernardo Messineo battled point-for-point before falling 7-5 at No. 2. Meanwhile, Shori Nishizoe and Logan Stoltz forced a tiebreaker at No. 3 before narrowly falling 7-6 (7-5), showing remarkable poise and resilience against some of the country's top collegiate talent.
Singles Recap
The fight carried over into singles action, where the Bishops continued to push Wake Forest to the limit. At No. 2 singles, Luca Knese delivered one of the most thrilling matches of the day, capturing the first set 6-4 before pushing the second set to an 11-9 tiebreaker. Though Knese ultimately fell 7-5 in the final set, his performance against a nationally ranked Division I opponent was nothing short of spectacular.
At No. 4, Bohdan Zhylchuk delivered a standout performance, winning the opening set 7-5 and battling through a dramatic 10-8 tiebreak loss in the second set. In the decisive third set, Zhylchuk's energy and competitive spirit were evident, but Wake Forest ultimately escaped with the win.
Shori Nishizoe also made his mark at No. 5 singles, rallying to win the second set 6-4 after dropping a tight first set. The third set super tiebreak was another marathon, with Nishizoe pushing his opponent before falling 10-4.
Quotes from the Bishops
Reflecting on the opportunity to face the No. 1 team in the nation, senior Luca Knese called the experience "unforgettable."
"Competing against players at this level was a dream come true," Knese said. "It just shows how we belong on the court with anyone, regardless of division."
Sophomore Bohdan Zhylchuk echoed that sentiment, adding: "We stepped onto the court with no fear today, and I think we earned a lot of respect. It's not every day a DIII team can take sets off the No. 1 team in Division I. This match will motivate us the rest of the season."
Head Coach Albie Brice praised his team's composure and competitive spirit, highlighting how special this moment was for N.C. Wesleyan Tennis.
"This was an incredible opportunity for our program and our players," Brice said. "It's not just about the result — it's about stepping on the court and showing we belong. Winning sets, pushing tiebreaks, and battling with the No. 1 team in the nation shows the character and talent we have in this program. I couldn't be prouder of how we represented NCWU today."
