WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNCW opened its "Battle at the Beach" in style on Tuesday, surrendering just one set in a 7-0 whitewashing of Samford in men's tennis at the UNCW courts.

      The Seahawks, ranked 71st nationally by the ITA, improved to 8-4 with the non-conference victory and will also face Drake and New Orleans in this week's mini-tourney in Wilmington.

      UNCW claimed the doubles point after the No. 1 and No. 2 teams posted identical 8-2 victories. Kinshuk Sharma and Max Ando Hirsh topped Zac Dunkle and Carson Kadi at No. 1, while Illia Ziamtsou and Kosta Blank breezed past Joe Hunsicker and Ryan Shidler. Michael Pereira and Alex Wetherell outlasted Carl Abalos and Scott Foster, 7-6, at the No. 3 slot to complete the sweep of doubles.

      In singles, Blank got things rolling with a 6-0, 6-1 thumping of Foster at No. 3 singles and Wetherell added a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Michael Browder at the No. 5 position. The Seahawks clinched the match when Ziamtsou coasted past Abalos, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 4 singles.

      Samford's Carson Kadi picked up the lone set for the Bulldogs in a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 loss to Sharma at No. 2 singles.

      The Seahawks complete the "Battle at the Beach" with a Thursday match against Drake at 2 p.m., followed by a Saturday tilt with New Orleans at 2 p.m.