NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 8, Truett McConnell 1
Records: Piedmont, 10-3; Truett McConnell, 2-10

DEMOREST, Ga. - Playing its third match in three days, the Piedmont men's tennis team pushed its winning streak to six with an 8-1 home victory over Truett McConnell on Monday afternoon.

The Lions were dominant in doubles action, losing just four total games across the three lines to grab control of the match early. Singles play brought more solid play, as they won five of the six matches, clinching at 5-0 and eventually winning by a score of 8-1.

The outstanding duo of CONNOR PHELPS and RYAN RAUGH started off doubles action with a perfect 8-0 victory at No. 2, running their record as partners to 8-2 in dual matches this spring. One day after their momentous comeback in the win over Guilford, SIMON JOHNSTONE and SILAS SANDLES rolled to an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles while freshman AUSTYN ADDERLY and junior LEO GALARZA won by the same margin at No. 3 to complete the sweep.

Leading 3-0, the Lions clinched the match in short order as JACKSON TRAYLOR started singles with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles, his first win at that spot this spring. Then, Johnstone slammed the door on the match, winning a hard-fought second set to take his match, 6-1, 6-4 and give the Lions the 5-0 lead and clinch.


 

Simon says, Lions win!

Hear from SIMON JOHNSTONE after the lefty picked up the clinching win at No. 2 singles!! pic.twitter.com/HV4O7Bg1SA

— Piedmont Men's Tennis (@PiedmontMTennis) March 27, 2023

Finishing off the first wave of singles, NILE MORRIS fought through a tough first set to take a tiebreaker, which propelled the Barbados native to a dominant second set win, 7-6, 6-1.

JC FOSTER's third set 10-8 superbreaker win highlighted the final wave of singles action for Piedmont. Foster battled back at No. 5 after dropping the first set to win a grueling second set before taking the match breaker.

Finally, after Truett McConnell was able to grab a point with a third-set match breaker win at No. 4, Galarza closed out the match with a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles, his second win at that spot in the last three days.

Up next, the Lions will finally have some time to rest before a pivotal match at Covenant this Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont's turned in a dominant doubles performance, winning all three lines in convincing fashion to set the tone for the 8-1 win.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Johnstone and Galarza each picked up a doubles and singles win on the day.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.