PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The fifth-ranked Lindsey Wilson men's tennis team opened conference play with a 9-0 victory over Pikeville (Ky.) Monday afternoon.

The Blue Raiders (9-2, 1-0 MSC) claimed their sixth shutout victory of the season over the host Bears (2-5, 1-1 MSC), who are receiving votes in the national poll.

In the first match of the day, fourth-ranked doubles pairing Edberg Espinoza and Francisco Charters teamed up to defeat Dmitry Babenkov and Marcos Fondelius 8-5 at the top doubles position. Ignacio Huertas and Pablo Vilches then defeated Nicolas Rodenbusch and Juan Reyes 8-6.

Denis Porcic and Raul Mendez captured the third and final doubles point with a hard fought 9-7 decision over Francois Billet and Pawel Tarasewicz at the No. 2 position.

In the No. 3 singles position, Mendez showcased an impressive 6-0, 6-0 decision over Fondelius for the fourth point of the match. No. 32-ranked Charters then captured the fifth and decisive point of the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Rodenbusch at the No. 6 singles position.

Vilches then defeated Tarasewicz 6-3, 6-4 at the No. 5 singles position, followed by a 7-6, (7-4) 6-2 win by No. 4 Espinoza over Billet in the top singles match. Porcic then defeated Dmitry Babenkov 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) at the No. 2 position for the eighth match point.

Huertas then beat Juan Reyes in the fourth position 6-4, 6-1 to complete the sweep, giving Lindsey Wilson the 9-0 victory.

The Blue Raiders return to the court March 28 when they travel to Cumberland (Tenn.) at 1 p.m. CT.