Box Score ROME, Ga. - The Berry men's tennis team opened their season with a home match against Piedmont University, a team that they had closely contested over the past few years.

With the tennis playing rules changed this season from Division III to Division II/I, it meant that the doubles matches were now one set, first to 6 instead of first to 8. A fast start was crucial, and Berry delivered with first doubles team Noah/Koch and Deuce Daniel leading the charge 6-0. Last year's duo of Aiden Benoualid and Jack Chapman returned at second doubles with a 6-1 victory, closely followed by the new pairing of Nico/Koch and Leo Nedkov winning 6-3 at third doubles.

Despite sweaping the doubles, the new divison rules meant that Berry only earned one team point instead of 3. Berry needed 3 singles wins to secure the victory, and they started strong with Noah at first singles and Deuce at second singles riding on the coattails of their doubles victory, winning 6-2, 6-3 and 6-4, 6-2, respectively.

However, Piedmont University were not about to fold as they mounted a comeback, with Aiden Benoualid losing 5-7, 2-6 and Nico Koch losing 1-6, 1-6 at fifth and sixth singles, respectively.

It came down to two matches, with Jake Chapman at fourth singles and and Drayton Matus at third singles. However, as Jake came back from a first set deficit to level the match at one set all, Drayton was able to run away with his match 7-5, 6-2 to secure Berry the win! Now with no pressure on his shoulders, Jake played freely to produce some of his best points, winning 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8).

Having beaten Piedmont University with a score of 5-2, the men will look to extend their streak into tomorrow's home match versus long-time Rome rival, Divison II Shorter University. 


1. Noah Koch and David Daniel (BC) defeated Connor Phelps and Simon Johnstone (PU)  6-0
2. Aiden Benoualid and Samuel Chapman (BC) defeated Yannick Wassmer Navarro and Mark Backeberg (PU) 6-1
3. Leo Nedkov and Nicholas Koch (BC) defeated Charles Parnell and Bryce van Order (PU) 6-3


1. Noah Koch (BC) defeated Yannick Wassmer Navarro (PU) 6-2, 6-3
2. David Daniel (BC) defeated Charles Parnell (PU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Drayton Matus (BC) defeated Bryce van Order (PU) 7-5, 6-2
4. Samuel Chapman (BC) defeated Rohan Kavali (PU) 4-6, 7-5, (10-8)
5. Mark Backeberg (PU) defeated Aiden Benoualid (BC) 5-7, 2-6
6. Connor Phelps (PU) defeated Nicholas Koch (BC) 1-6, 1-6