IRVINE, Calif. – Ranked No. 14 in the country in the preseason ITA rankings, the Concordia University Irvine men's tennis team showed it meant business on Friday, defeating Biola 4-1 in the first regular season match of the year.

Coming off a 6-1 exhibition victory over Westmont earlier in the week, the Eagles quickly grabbed a 1-0 lead by winning the top two pairings in the doubles section. Yassine Smiej and Mike Jansen teamed up for a 6-3 win while Patrick Wong and Jan Simon followed that up with a 6-4 victory.

About an hour later, Smiej cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 win in No. 1 singles while Simon responded with a victory at the no. 4 singles slot. Simon's 6-4, 6-2 win over Isaac Cordova gave Concordia a 3-0 lead.

After Biola won the No. 3 singles point, Wong rebounded to win in three sets after dropping his opening set in the No. 2 singles matchup. Wong prevailed 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 to clinch it for the Green and Gold.

Newcomers Benjamin Buck and Sofian Tayebi Alaoui were entangled in close matches but with the visiting Eagles having already clinched and the women's match also scheduled, the teams agreed to leave those unfinished since the outcome was already determined.

Ranked No. 25 in the ITA rankings, the CUI women's tennis team also prevailed 4-1 on Friday, defeating Biola to improve to 2-1 on the year. CLICK HERE to read about how the CUI women's team notched its victory.

The CUI men return to action this coming Wednesday, Feb. 18 with a trip to Point Loma on tap.

For the full CUI men's tennis schedule CLICK HERE.

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