LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Hanover men's tennis team cruised to its first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory, defeating Transylvania (Ky.) on the road Wednesday evening, 9-0.

Juniors Alec Bates (New Albany, Ind.) and Brent Barrett (New Palestine, Ind.) jumped up to compete in the top doubles spot for just the second time this season, winning 8-5. Both players went on to pick up 6-0, 6-0 victories in singles action, with Barrett competing at No. 2 and Bates at No. 4.

Hanover conceded just six games over the six singles matches, winning each one in straight sets. Sophomore Landon Carrico (New Albany, Ind.) joined Bates and Barrett with a shutout-win, taking the top singles spot.

Sophomores Jonathan Helmers (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Mitchell Minniear (Muncie, Ind.) only dropped one game each during singles action, earning points for the team in the Nos. 3 and 6 positions. Helmers and freshman Roger Trombley (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) earned an 8-1 decision in the No. 2 doubles slot, while Carrico and Minniear swept the final match, 8-0.

Earning his first singles victory of the season was freshman Jed Fajt (Greencastle, Ind.). Fajt earned a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles.

With the win, Hanover improves to 5-10 overall and 1-2 in HCAC play. The 9-0 triumph is the squad's first unblemished performance of the season. After suffering the home loss, the Pioneers fall to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in HCAC play.

The Panthers will return to action this Friday, April 13, as they host Mt. St. Joseph (Ohio) for a 4 p.m. match.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu