THIBODAUX, La. – While the non-conference slate is important in terms of overall success, the Southland Conference schedule is what matters the most and the Nicholls State University men's tennis team put its early struggles aside to defeat Incarnate Word, 4-3, in its conference opener on Tuesday at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
The win snapped the Colonels nine-match losing streak, but more importantly, put Nicholls at 1-0 in Southland competition.
 
Nicholls got things started against UIW (7-7, 0-1) by securing the doubles point. Sam Meessen and Evan Karatzas made easy work of Tucker Brown and Ryan Hoverson with a 6-1 victory on the No. 3 court. The next two matches finished almost simultaneously, with each team earning a win. Oleksander Podgursky and Kieran Cronin's 6-4 win at No. 1 gave Nicholls the point, while Max Sinn and Bernard Wezeman fell by the same score at No. 2.
 
UIW started off strong in singles play, winning the first set in four of the six matches. Wezeman and Meessen took their opening sets at No. 6 and 4, respectively, and went on to earn straight-set victories. UIW's Tucker Brown also won in two sets, defeating Cronin 7-6, 6-2 at No. 5.
 
With Nicholls leading 3-1 and needing one more point for the victory, the final three matches would go three sets. Josip Smolijan outlasted Podgursky at No. 1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. On the No. 2 court, Sinn bounced back from a first-set loss to Francisco Bendana to earn a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, clinching the victory for the Colonels. Karatzas won the second set against Joey Vatanadilok on No. 2, but dropped the third, 6-3.
 
The Colonels will look to make it two in a row as both the men and women host Abilene Christian on Wednesday in Houma at the Renaissance Family Fitness Center. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
Nicholls 4, Incarnate Word 3
Singles
1. Josip Smoljan (UIW) def. Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
2. Joey Vatanadilok (UIW) def. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
3. Max Sinn (NICM) def. Francisco Bendana (UIW) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. Sebastian Mortier (UIW) 6-4, 6-3
5. Tucker Brown (UIW) def. Kieran Cronin (NICM) 7-6, 6-2
6. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) def. Ryan Hoverson (UIW) 6-4, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Oleksander Podgursky/Kieran Cronin (NICM) def. Joey Vatanadilok/Sebastian Mortier (UIW) 6-4
2. Josip Smoljan/Francisco Bendana (UIW) def. Max Sinn/Bernard Wezeman (NICM) 6-4
3. Sam Meessen/Evan Karatzas (NICM) def. Tucker Brown/Ryan Hoverson (UIW) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Incarnate Word 7-7, 0-1
Nicholls 2-9, 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,5,4,1,3,2)