Charleston, S.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s tennis team secured its first win of the 2026 season on Saturday, defeating The Citadel 5-2 at the Earle Tennis Center. The victory marks a positive start to the Spartans’ Southern Conference (SoCon) schedule, fueled by strong performances from Devon Moskowitz, Tymofiy Khrystyuk, and Hector Nissen, who all went undefeated on the day. This win for UNCG men’s tennis comes after a challenging start to the season, and provides momentum as they look ahead to upcoming matches.
The Spartans dominated the doubles competition, taking two of three matches to secure the doubles point. John Gabelic and Moskowitz defeated The Citadel’s Ted Bagwell and Brady Gober 6-2 on court one. Nissen and Khrystyuk continued their strong play, dispatching Noah Van Dyke and Tucker Hendrix 6-1 on court two. Although The Citadel’s Anthony Osipov and Reece Beckendorf managed to defeat UNCG’s William Elmers and Andrew Black 6-4 on court three, the early advantage proved crucial for the Spartans.
Doubles Set the Tone
The doubles point often sets the tone for a collegiate tennis match, and Saturday’s contest was no exception. UNCG’s ability to win two of the three doubles matches demonstrated their early control and confidence. The pairing of Gabelic and Moskowitz, along with Nissen and Khrystyuk, proved to be a formidable force, establishing a lead that the Spartans would build upon in singles play. The Bulldogs’ lone doubles victory, while competitive, wasn’t enough to shift the momentum.
Singles Play Seals the Victory
Freshman Hector Nissen continued his impressive start to the season, defeating Beckendorf 6-2, 6-3 on court five. The Citadel responded with Graham Harding defeating Andrew Black 6-2, 6-2 on court six, briefly halting UNCG’s progress. However, the Spartans quickly regained control, rattling off three consecutive singles victories. Moskowitz defeated Michael Csipkay 7-6, 6-3 on court three, followed by Khrystyuk’s hard-fought win over Van Dyke 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 on court one. William Elmers then clinched the victory for UNCG, defeating Bagwell 7-5, 7-6 on court four.
Despite Gabelic falling to Gober 6-2, 4-6, 5-7 on court two, the damage had already been done. The final score of 5-2 reflected UNCG’s overall dominance and resilience. The team’s ability to secure key points in both doubles and singles play proved to be the deciding factor in their first win of the season.
Coach Trivette Praises Team’s Resilience
“We gutted out a victory in some tough conditions,” said Head Coach Jeff Trivette. “It’s great to acquire a road win in conference.” Trivette’s comments highlight the challenging nature of the match and the team’s ability to persevere despite adversity. A road win in conference play is particularly valuable, demonstrating the Spartans’ ability to perform under pressure and in unfamiliar surroundings.
Current Records
With this victory, UNCG improves to 1-4 overall and 1-0 in the SoCon. The Citadel falls to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Spartans’ record reflects a challenging non-conference schedule, but their SoCon opener suggests a promising trajectory for the remainder of the season. The Citadel, meanwhile, continues to search for its first win of the year.
Looking Ahead
The Spartans return home this Tuesday to face Belmont Abbey at the UNCG Tennis Courts at 2:00 p.m. Following the match against Belmont Abbey, UNCG will travel to Conway, South Carolina, on Friday, Feb. 20, to battle Coastal Carolina at the Stevens Tennis Complex. These upcoming matches will provide further opportunities for the Spartans to build momentum and solidify their position in the SoCon standings. Fans can find more information and purchase UNCG gear at UNCGgear.com.
The team’s early success, particularly the undefeated performances of Moskowitz, Khrystyuk, and Nissen, bodes well for their future prospects. As they continue to navigate the season, the Spartans will undoubtedly face new challenges, but their resilience and determination, as highlighted by Coach Trivette, suggest they are well-equipped to overcome them.
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