GRANVILLE, Ohio --- The Carthage men's tennis team defeated the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks in the opening round of the NCAA Division Men's Tennis Tournament on Friday afternoon at Denison Tennis Courts. The Firebirds swept doubles play before cruising to a 4-0 victory and advancing to the second round.

In doubles play, Finn Morris and Diego Silva earned a No. 1 doubles win with a 6-1 victory over Tanay Sharma and Alexander Feher. The Firebirds clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win in No. 3 doubles, as Ethan Foucheaux and Francisco Silveira earned the victory over Pol Dueso-Guell and and Tejas Sheth. The Firebirds took a 1-0 lead over the Scarlet Hawks.

In singles play, Luca Okino extended the lead with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Hozumi Tada in No. 5 singles. The Firebirds took a 3-0 lead with a win in No. 6 singles, as Linus Bangert earned a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Joseph Au. Morris then clinched the team win in No. 3 singles after defeating Feher 6-2, 6-1. The Firebirds defeated the Scarlet Hawks 4-0.

The Firebirds (23-3, 6-1 CCIW) will return to action on Saturday, May 8 as they take on No. 4 Denison in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Action begins at 11 a.m. EST at the Denison Tennis Courts in Granville, Ohio.