WORCESTER, Mass. – The University of Hartford men's tennis team closed out its regular season in impressive fashion with a 7-0 shutout of the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday afternoon. The win for the Hawks sends them into the Missouri Valley Conference championships in St. Louis with impressive momentum.

"The men played great today," said head Coach Torr Terranova. "The way we carried ourselves in not ideal conditions was impressive We started slow in doubles but were able to take all three. Then in singles we brought the win home in great fashion! It's a great way to finish an incredible regular season. I am very proud of them."

The doubles point came thanks to victories at third and second doubles with freshman Ryan Lugtu and junior Nicholas Sharwarko completing the sweep in doubles with a 6-3 win at first doubles. The first doubles victory came in the third position with freshman Alexander Romaine and sophomore Juan Molina cruising past their opponent, 6-1. Clinching the point in doubles was the rookie duo of William Drumwright and Daniel Rombola who scored a 6-2 win in the second position.

All six of the Hawks singles points came in straight set victories. Lugtu and sophomore Morgan White had possible the toughest battles in singles play at first and sixth singles, respectively, but were never truly challenged. Lugtu defeated Holy Cross' Jimmy in matching 6-3 sets. White posted his victory in sixth singles by scored of 6-4, 6-2.

Sharwarko's victory at fourth singles extends his singles winning streak to four-straight matches heading into the conference championship.

The men's tennis team will begin postseason play in their first ever Missouri Valley Championship on Friday, April 17 against the Wichita State Shockers, currently ranked 57th in the ITA Division I rankings. The Shockers enter the postseason event with a 17-6 overall record and was the runner-up in 2014 championship event after winning the league title in 2013. The winner of Friday's match (12 p.m. start) will advance in the single-elimination tournament to face the winner of Southern Illinois versus UMBC on Saturday.

RESULTS vs HOLY CROSS

DOUBLES

SINGLES