ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The outstanding season for the Covenant men's tennis team came to a close on Saturday with a 9-0 loss at N.C. Wesleyan in the USA South Tournament championship at the Slick Tennis Center.

Covenant ends the year with a 13-6 overall record and a USA South West Division regular season title. The .684 winning percentage is the second-best in program history.

The Scots were making their first appearance in the championship match of the USA South Tournament.

N.C. Wesleyan (20-2) earns the USA South's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament after winning its 12th straight tournament title.

Covenant battled in doubles play, but fell in all three flights to drop behind 3-0. Ethan Gibson and Gill Dunn hung with John Falke and Thato Holmes at the No. 2 spot before falling 8-4.

Ben Luke and Paxton Haggerty dropped an 8-3 decision at the top flight to Jhonny Acosta and Juan Vallejo before the Bishops wrapped the doubles sweep with an 8-2 win over Austin Dreslinski and Chris Morton at No. 3.

The Bishops clinched the match with wins at No. 6 and No. 4 to open singles play. Valentin Mussi defeated Haggerty 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 after Augusto Roca downed Dunn 6-0, 6-0.

Luke took Vallejo to a tiebreak in the first set at the top flight before Vallejo prevailed 7-6, 6-3 to conclude the match.

Dreslinski and Gibson both earned All-Tournament honors. Dreslinski was key in Covenant's win over Piedmont in the first round, while Gibson had the match-clincher in that contest.

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