MONROE, La.  – The Nicholls men's tennis team opened Southland Conference play in impressive fashion with a 6-1 victory over Oral Roberts on Saturday afternoon.

Nicholls (2-3, 1-0) stormed through doubles play against ORU (1-5, 0-1), winning all three matchups for a 1-0 lead. In singles play, the top five players for the Colonels won in straight sets, with the only loss coming in a three-set decision at No. 6.

In doubles action, Nico Mertens and Partha Adavelly won 8-2 over Fabian Zierleyn/Jason Mechali at No. 1, and Lukas Clemens paired up with Bernard Wezeman at No. 2 for an 8-3 win over Amar Saletovic/Parker Allen. The No. 3 match saw Sam Meessen and Evan Karatzas come out on top 8-5 against Michael Sosnowski/Braxton Bates.

Mertens, who came into the match ranked No. 69, had little trouble in top spot in singles, winning 6-1, 6-1. Avadelly and Clemens took the No. 2 and 3 matches, respectively, and Wezeman and Meessen won each of their sets by the score of 6-2.

In the No. 6 match, Kieran Cronin was outlasted in three sets against Michael Sosnowski, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.

The Colonels are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 18 as they host Alcorn State. First serve at the Colonel Tennis Complex is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Nicholls 6, Oral Roberts 1

Singles competition
1. Nico Mertens (NICM) def. Fabian Zierleyn (ORU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Partha Adavelly (NICM) def. Amar Saletovic (ORU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Lukas Clemens (NICM) def. Jason Mechali (ORU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) def. Parker Allen (ORU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. Cole Guy (ORU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Michael Sosnowski (ORU) def. Kieran Cronin (NICM) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Nico Mertens/Partha Adavelly (NICM) def. Fabian Zierleyn/Jason Mechali (ORU) 8-2
2. Lukas Clemens/Bernard Wezeman (NICM) def. Amar Saletovic/Parker Allen (ORU) 8-3
3. Sam Meessen/Evan Karatzas (NICM) def. Michael Sosnowski/Braxton Bates (ORU) 8-5

Match Notes:
Oral Roberts 1-5 (0-1 SLC)
Nicholls 2-3 (1-0 SLC)