Box Score DAHLONEGA - The No. 17 University of North Georgia men's tennis team earned its third straight shutout of the year, blanking Georgia Southwestern to open Peach Belt Conference play Friday afternoon at the UNG Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek Park.

The Nighthawks cruised through No. 2 doubles with Tim Kiehl and Jared Bones beating their opponent, 8-1. Niklas Zielen and Carl Bedrot found themselves in a battle at No. 1 doubles as did Zack Waldow and Kevin Candido Magnusson at No. 3 doubles, but both UNG duos earned close wins to give the Nighthawks a 3-0 lead headed to doubles.

Singles competition was more one-sided as the Nighthawks won in straight sets in five of the six matches. At No. 4 singles, Waldow dropped the first set in a tiebreaker but bounced back quickly, winning the second set, 6-1, before a 6-4 win in the third and final set.

North Georgia will continue Peach Belt play with a 2 p.m. first serve at Augusta on Sunday afternoon.

#17 North Georgia 9, Georgia Southwestern 0
SINGLES
1. Niklas Zielen (UNGM) def. Alex Ferrando (GSW) 6-2, 6-2
2. Tim Kiehl (UNGM) def. Steven Blythe (GSW) 6-3, 6-4
3. Mark Laishley (UNGM) def. Beau Millwood (GSW) 7-5, 6-3
4. Zack Waldow (UNGM) def. Nacho Garcia De Sola (GSW) 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4
5. Carl Bedrot (UNGM) def. Jonathan Martin (GSW) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jared Bones (UNGM) def. Justin Ralston (GSW) 6-0, 6-3
 
DOUBLES
1. Niklas Zielen/Carl Bedrot (UNGM) def. Alex Ferrando/Steven Blythe (GSW) 8-5
2. Tim Kiehl/Jared Bones (UNGM) def. Beau Millwood/Luke Eafano (GSW) 8-1
3. Zack Waldow/Kevin Candido (UNGM) def. Jonathan Martin/Nacho Garcia De Sola (GSW) 8-6