WEST LIBERTY, W.Va.– The West Virginia Wesleyan (6-4, 1-0 MEC) men’s tennis team opened Mountain East Conference play on Saturday with a road battle against the West Liberty Hilltoppers (9-4, 2-1 MEC). Anthony McIntosh clinched the match with a straight-set win to give the Orange and Black a 4-3 win.

The Hilltoppers entered the season picked to finish third in the MEC as voted on by the coaches. However, the ‘Cats weren’t phased as they came back from a 3-0 deficit at doubles no. 1 to clinch the doubles point.

Camillo Salvi extended the Bobcats lead as he won in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) at singles no. 3 to give WVWC the 2-0 lead. Taylor Papworth followed suit with a straight-set win at no. 2 (6-3, 6-3) to give Wesleyan the 3-0 advantage. The Hilltoppers would storm back with wins at no. 1, 4, and 6 to tie the match at three apiece. However, McIntosh would spoil the Hilltopper comeback, clinching the match with a (6-4, 7-5) win at no. 5. “Taylor [Papworth] and Camillo [Salvi] played well tonight,” said head coach Kyle Hoffman. “We talked yesterday about playing as a team, and tonight Anthony [McIntosh] came in clutch to finish off a real team effort.

Up Next
WVWC takes on Bluefield College (Va.) at home on Monday. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.