The Morehead State men's tennis team got itself in the win column for the first time in 2015 Tuesday (Feb. 3), blanking Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 6-0.
The Eagles improved to 1-3. The Blue Raiders, ranked fifth in the preseason NAIA poll, lost their season opener.
Morehead State opened with a 1-0 lead by claiming doubles wins at Nos. 1 and 2. On court one, sophomores Ritchie Kruunenberg and Gabriel Ruiz remained umblemished (4-0) this spring with a 6-1 triumph over Denis Porcic and Edberg Espinoza. At No. 2, freshman Sabastian Penaloza and junior Nick Mercer bested Raul Mendez and Francisco Charters, 6-2.
"Lindsey Wilson is a very solid team, but I felt we played extremely well across the board today," Head Coach Kevin Fulton said.
The Eagles won all five singles matches contested with the sixth contest cancelled. At No. 1, Kruunenberg knocked off Espinoza 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Penaloza collected his first collegiate win by defeating Porcic 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2. Freshman Jose Zurro also picked up his initial college victory with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 straight-setter over Ignatio Huertas.
"I was happy to see Sabastian and Jose play much better today and get their first wins," Fulton said. "We worked hard in practice this week on many little things, and the work is paying off. We can be a very good team this season."
Mercer grabbed a 6-1, 7-5 decision over Charters on court four, while Ruiz recorded a 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 victory against Porcic at No. 3.
Morehead State travels to face Louisville on Sunday (Feb. 8) at 5 p.m.