CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 24, 2025) - Day 1 of the 2025 CCS Men's and Women's Tennis Championships featured dominant performances and hard-fought battles as four teams from each bracket advanced to the semifinals. On the men’s side, No. 3 Piedmont swept No. 6 Huntingdon, while No. 4 Belhaven edged out No. 5 Maryville in a tight 4-2 contest. Piedmont will now face No. 2 Covenant, and Belhaven will take on top-seeded Asbury. In women’s action, No. 3 Huntingdon and No. 4 Maryville each recorded 4-0 victories over Agnes Scott and Covenant, respectively. Huntingdon moves on to face No. 2 Asbury, while Maryville will challenge No. 1 Piedmont in the semifinal round.
 
Men’s Tennis
 
Match 1: No. 3 Piedmont, 4 v. No. 6 Huntingdon, 0

Piedmont punched its ticket to the semifinals with a dominant 4-0 sweep over No. 6 seed Huntingdon. The Lions wasted no time in doubles play, as the pairings of Charles Parnell/Connor Phelps and Mark Backeberg/Rohan Kavali secured quick wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to give Piedmont the early edge.

In singles action, Yannick Wassmer Navarro delivered a statement performance at the top spot with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Mark Backeberg followed with an equally decisive 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 4, before Parnell clinched the team win with a 6-2, 6-2 effort at No. 2.

Piedmont will now face No. 2 seed Covenant in the semifinal round.
 

Match 2: No. 4 Belhaven, 4 v. No. 5 Maryville, 2

Belhaven emerged victorious in a tightly contested 4-2 matchup against Maryville. The Blazers set the tone in doubles with wins at No. 2 and No. 3, led by strong performances from the teams of Estrada/Leggett and Diaz/Oakes.

In singles, Jesus Diaz breezed through his match at No. 4 with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win. Mark Matviiev followed suit with a 6-2, 6-2 decision at No. 3. With the match hanging in the balance, Maximo Estrada held off a strong push from Maryville’s James Smith in a thrilling three-set win (6-2, 6-7 [7-9], 7-6 [9-7]) to seal the team victory.
Belhaven advances to face No. 1 Asbury in semifinal action.
 
 
Women’s Tennis

Match 1: No. 3 Huntingdon, 4  v. No. 6 Agnes Scott, 0

The Hawks soared into the semifinals with a 4-0 sweep over Agnes Scott, showcasing dominant performances across the board. Lilly Brown and Taji Williams opened the match with a shutout 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles, and Natalie Tedesco/Ella Hathcock matched that with a clean 6-0 victory at No. 2. Dalyce Sanders/Angelina Mazza wrapped doubles play with yet another 6-0 win for the Hawks.

In singles, Williams didn’t drop a game en route to a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2. Brown added a quick 6-0, 3-0 result at No. 1, and Hathcock clinched the match with a strong 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 4.
Huntingdon will next take on No. 2 seed Asbury in the semifinals.
 

Match 2: No. 4 Maryville, 4 v. No. 5 Covenant, 0

Maryville advanced to the semifinals behind a clean 4-0 sweep of Covenant. The Scots took control early with Abby Diggs and Alyssa Smith teaming up for a 6-2 doubles win, while the pairing of Josie McRae and Jasmine Muecke won by default.

In singles play, Smith led the way with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3, followed closely by Muecke’s identical scoreline at No. 4. McRae completed the shutout with a win by default at No. 6, locking in Maryville’s semifinal date with top-seeded Piedmont.


ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
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