Rocky Mount, NC - The dynasty continues.
The North Carolina Wesleyan men's tennis team captured its 16th consecutive USA South Athletic Conference Tournament Championship on Saturday morning, defeating second-seeded Methodist 4-0 at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center.
The Battling Bishops, who served as the tournament's top seed and host, secured the doubles point and followed with singles victories at the No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6 positions to clinch the championship and automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
"This group has battled all year long, and I couldn't be prouder of the way they came together and peaked at the right time," said head coach Albie Brice. "Winning sixteen in a row is a true testament to the culture and tradition of excellence that's been built here over the years. Our guys embraced the challenge and earned this one."
In doubles play, the Bishops struck first as the duo of Francesco Raparo and Bohdan Zhylchuk cruised to a 6-0 win at No. 3. The No. 1 pairing of Luca Knese and Albert Sitwell then secured the early 1-0 lead with a 6-2 victory, while the No. 2 match went unfinished with Brody Brice and Logan Stoltz leading 4-3.
In singles action, Wesleyan continued its strong performance as Shori Nishizoe delivered a commanding 6-0, 6-3 win at the No. 6 position to extend the lead to 2-0. Zhylchuk, later named Tournament MVP, followed with a 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 3, while Stoltz provided the clincher at No. 5 with a 6-2, 6-1 decision.
The remaining matches at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 singles were left unfinished with the Bishops firmly in control.
In addition to Zhylchuk's MVP honor, Knese, Sitwell, and Nishizoe were also named to the USA South All-Tournament Team.
With the win, North Carolina Wesleyan improves to 12-12 overall on the season and now awaits its NCAA Tournament pairing, as the Bishops look to continue the postseason tradition on the national stage.
2025 USA South Men's Tennis All-Tournament Team:
