WILMINGTON, N.C. – Appalachian State University men's tennis was unable to get the win in its season opener against nationally ranked UNC Wilmington, falling 7-0 on Saturday afternoon.

In doubles play, No. 3 doubles duo Jan-Willem Kleynhans and Alex Brea finished first for the Mountaineers (0-1), but lost out on a 6-2 decision. Zach Bost and Trey Morris dropped the No. 2 spot 6-2, giving the Seahawks (1-0) the doubles point. 

The No. 1 doubles spot went unfinished.

App State continued to struggle against UNCW's firepower in singles play as Kleynhans fell to Javier Restrepo 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 3. Bost dropped a 6-3, 6-1 decision at the No. 4 against Xander Veys, while Jack Maddocks and C. Van der Burgh battled out the No. 2 spot. Maddocks was defeated 6-2, 6-4, to give the Seahawks the 4-0 victory.

Competition stiffened in the final three singles matches, as the Mountaineers tried to rally for a point. Brea lost a toughly defended No. 6 spot against Aviv Ben Shabat, 7-5, 6-3, before Morris fell to Agustin Savarino, 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 5.

The No. 1 spot was the first to start and the final to end as a tough battle between Oliver Casey and Santtu Leskinen went three sets and the entire length of the singles competition. Leskinen took the first set 6-3, but Casey fought back to even things up, taking the second set 6-2. The third and deciding set was another hard battle, but finally ended with a 6-3 defeat for Casey.

The Mountaineers return to action for their first home opener next Saturday, Jan. 23, against Lees McRae. First serve is set for 9 a.m. at Deer Valley Racquet Club.