JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Men's and Women's Tennis teams continued its opening week of competition Friday at Parham Bridges Tennis Center. The men dropped a narrow 5-4 decision to Southwest Mississippi Community College, before falling 6-3 to East Central Community College later in the afternoon. The women fell 9-0 to Southwest Mississippi CC and 9-0 to East Central CC.

Against Southwest Mississippi, the Blazers claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. Harshith Anugonda and Briley Oakes secured a 7-5 victory at No. 2, while Stephen Spencer and Paul Stager rolled 6-1 at No. 3.

In singles play, Spencer remained sharp with a 6-0, 7-5 win at No. 4, and Oakes followed with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 5. The match ultimately came down to the remaining courts, where Southwest edged the Blazers to take the 5-4 team result.  

Later in the day against East Central, Mark Breedlove and Stager picked up a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles. Spencer again delivered in singles with a 6-4, 6-3 decision at No. 4, while Bernard Jackson earned a strong 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 5. East Central secured the team victory with wins across the top singles positions.  

Spencer finished the day unbeaten in singles, continuing his strong start after earlier victories in the season opener.

Against Southwest, the Blazers Women's team battled in doubles, highlighted by a competitive effort at No. 1 before Southwest secured the point with wins at all three positions. In singles, Rebekah Nichols pushed her opponent in the second set at No. 1, while Evey Moore showed resilience at No. 4, but Southwest completed the sweep.

Later in the afternoon versus East Central, the visitors again claimed all three doubles matches. In singles, Nichols, Moore, Khliyah McCaskill-Ford, and Arica Eason competed across the top four courts as East Central closed out the 9-0 decision.

The Blazers are back in action tommorow, taking on Rust College at Parham Bridges Tennis Center at 11:00 AM.

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