COLUMBIA - In decisive fashion the Newberry men's tennis team earned an 8-1 victory on the road against the Benedict Tigers at Southeast Park in Columbia.

The Wolves (3-3) swept the Tigers (2-3) in doubles action earning a trio of 8-3 victories.

At No. 1 doubles, junior Vinicius Botelho teamed with freshman Fernando Espana for a victory over Zibusiso Ndimande and Shane Latchman. Senior Cal Loveridge and sophomore Carlos Nicolopulos knocked off Darreus Wheeler and Giovanni Plater at No. 2 doubles, while sophomore Christopher Gardiner and junior David Sons defeated Timothy Thornton and Deangelo Smith at No. 3.

Gardiner's appearance against Benedict marked his first collegiate action, and also included his first career victory in doubles action.

Singles action saw the Wolves earn straight set victories in five singles positions. The Wolves lone loss came at No. 6 where Gardiner forced a third set in his first collegiate singles match.

Botelho was pushed in set one, but won his second set handily at No. 1 singles. Nicolopulos picked up a quick victory at No. 2, while Espana dropped only two games in his straight set victory at No. 3.

Loveridge knocked off Plater at No. 4 singles in two sets, while the Wolves earned a final team point as Sons earned a dominant win at No. 5 over Thornton.

Newberry returns to the Cannon Tennis Courts on Wednesday for a big South Atlantic Conference match as the Wolves play host to No. 26 Wingate Bulldogs. Wingate is ranked No. 10 in the most recent Southeast Region rankings, and will meet the Wolves at 2 p.m.