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GREENWOOD, S.C. – In a battle of top-10 teams, the fourth-ranked Columbus State University men's tennis team downed eighth-ranked Lander 7-2 on Friday. The Peach Belt Conference opener was played in Greenwood, S.C.
 
The Cougars moved to 5-0 on the season with the win to start conference play. CSU got off to a strong start on Friday, taking two of the three doubles matches for the early lead.
 
The 24^th-ranked duo of Matei Avram and Zach Whaanga turned in an 8-5 win at second doubles, with Shao-Yu Yu and Arnold Kokulewski doing the same in the third position.

Lander salvaged a point in doubles play with a narrow 9-8 win over KP Pannu and Alvaro Regalado.
 
It was all Cougars in singles play, as CSU scored victories in five of the six matches.
 
Top-ranked Pannu had a battle at first singles but walked away with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-0 win to move to 4-0 on the season. No. 18 Whaanga picked up a ranked victory 6-7, 7-5, 10-4 at second singles, and No. 22 Regalado quickly took down his opponent 6-1, 6-3 at the third spot.
 
Avram won 6-1, 6-4 at fifth singles and Jorge Vargas did the same 7-6, 6-1 in the sixth position.
 
Lander's only singles victory came in fourth singles, as Paul Sprengelmeijer fell 7-5, 6-0.
 
Columbus State will play again on Saturday, traveling to Young Harris. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.