KNOXVILLE, Tn- Both Royals teams picked up their first conference wins against South Carolina foe Columbia College.
On the men's side, the Royals were tested early in doubles as Columbia College landed an early blow taking the #2 doubles spot. The Royals would retaliate at the #3 doubles position with senior Gerett Benjamin and sophomore Camden Jones taking their match 6-1. All eyes turned to the #1 doubles court where the freshmen pair of Ignacio Gamarra and Elijah Vento pulled ahead with a break at 4-3 and served out the match for the doubles point.
In singles action, the Royals found themselves in nail-biters as the first set on both of the top lines went to tiebreakers. After fighting off multiple advances, Gamarra would claim the win on the top flight while Vento would drop his match 7-5 in the 3rd. On other courts, Buchanan would fight back from a set down to see a 3rd set victory at the 3rd court. It would then be Brown, Keeling, and Benjamin putting the match away for a 6-1 victory.
On the women's side, the Royals benefitted from multiple defaulted courts. Fights at the top spot by Paola Testa and at the second spot by Haley Thompson came up just short while freshman Clare Torres was able to put away her match at the third line.
The Royals return to the courts on the 21st to take on another conference foe, Bluefield College.