Lindsborg, Kan.— The Spires opened the KCAC Men's Tennis Conference Championships with a 4-0 victory over the Friends Falcons this morning, using a strong start in doubles and three straight completed singles wins to take control of the opening-round match.

USM built the result by claiming the doubles point behind a 6-1 win from Korbin Priestley and Evan Maritz at No. 2 doubles and a 6-4 victory from Mateo Dargel Argote and Carlos Grimaldi at No. 3. Once USM had already clenched the doubles point, the No. 1 doubles pairing of Nils Dueppe and Nudem Koyuncu left the match tied 5-5 against Fuentes and Gonzalez.

Once singles began, USM quickly added to the lead with three completed victories. Dueppe earned a straight-set win at No. 1 singles, beating Fuentes 6-2, 6-4. Koyuncu was dominant at No. 5, rolling past Ikuno 6-2, 6-0. Dargel Argote delivered the most lopsided singles result of the day at No. 6, defeating Bush 6-0, 6-2.

Those performances gave the Spire men more than enough to secure the 4-0 clench, moving themselves into the next round of post-season play. Dargel Argote stood out across both formats, contributing the No. 3 doubles win with Grimaldi before adding his decisive straight-set singles victory. Dueppe and Koyuncu also helped anchor the effort, each pairing a singles win with a competitive showing in the unfinished top doubles flight.

Three additional singles matches were still on court when play was halted as the Spires had already secured the victory. Carlos Grimaldi trailed after the opening set before moving ahead 3-2 in the second against Gomes at No. 2 singles. Maritz led Torres 6-3 and was tied 4-4 in the second set at No. 3, while Priestley held a 6-4, 2-1 edge over Lacy at No. 4.

The combination of a clean start in doubles and efficient closing work in singles sent the Spires through the opening round with momentum. USM did not drop a completed singles match and controlled two of the three completed doubles flights from the start of the championship opener.

Coming up, USM will face off against the McPherson College Bulldogs tomorrow afternoon, Friday, April 24^th at 2:00 p.m. at Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg, Kansas.