ROME, Ga. -- The Covenant men's tennis team officially opened the 2021-22 campaign over the weekend at the annual ITA South Regional championships, hosted by Berry at the Rome Tennis Center.

Eleven players competed in the event for the Scots as Covenant tallied seven singles wins and three doubles victories.

Playing in the main singles draw, Ben Luke took an opening-round win over Piedmont's Alberto Nunez in three sets 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4 to advance. Luke's run in the main bracket ended in the second round with a 6-4, 6-1, loss to Sewanee's Quinn Wicklund.

In the "B" singles draw, freshman David Netherton notched a pair of victories. Netherton defeated Belhaven's Cainan Black 6-3, 7-5 in the first round before notching a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Piedmont's Kody Dills in the second round. 

Four other Scots also collected singles wins in the first round of the "B" draw. Chris Morton was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Ayda Grossman of Oglethorpe, Tyler Kelly won 7-5, 6-2 over Belhaven's Chris Stevens, and Jeb Barnette earned a three-set, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Piedmont's J.C. Foster. In a consolation round, Andrew Graham notched a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Piedmont's Leo Galarza.

In doubles play, Cameron Cortman and Camden Lashley teamed up for a pair of wins in the "B" draw. The pair defeated Centre's Owen Alsup and Newcomb Maddux 8-7(5) before earning an 8-6 win over Oglethorpe's Michael Allen and Vincent Claussen. Ethan Gibson and Gill Dunn also earned a win in doubles with their first round "B" draw victory over Rhodes' Justin Bobo and Jacob Lehmann.

Covenant, the reigning USA South West Division champions, will announce its spring schedule at a later date.

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Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.