SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Despite not playing in a competitive match in nearly a year, the University of North Dakota men's tennis team wasted no time getting back to its winning ways with a 7-0 sweep over Augustana on Saturday evening from Sioux Falls. 

The Fighting Hawks (1-0), who are now riding a 10-match winning streak dating back to 2020, dropped only two sets on the day in the first of two meetings against the Vikings this weekend. 

In doubles action, UND got off to a hot start on the No. 2 court when the pairing of Johnatan Parat and Cian McDonnell picked up their first win as a duo with a 6-0 sweep before Danny DeNike and Petro Alex sealed the 1-0 lead for the Hawks with a 6-4 triumph on the No. 3 court. Augustana did come away with a victory from the top spot, but the Hawks were able to hold off the Vikings to claim the point in two-man play. 

Parat, who entered the season with a perfect record in singles play, had no intention of letting that slip away with a pair of 6-0 wins at the No. 1 position to quickly put the visitors ahead, 2-0. Moments later, his doubles partner McDonnell etched his first singles victory in a UND uniform with back-to-back triumphs by a 6-2 score to push the Vikings to the brink with a 3-0 lead. 

A trio of players helped put the finishing touches on a win in straight sets for UND, with Edmond Aynedjian and Petro each grabbing a win by a 6-3, 6-2 score before Lucas Percy made it 6-0 in favor of the green and white with a 6-4, 6-1 victory. DeNike had to battle for three sets, but the freshman also picked up victory number one of his collegiate career on the sixth court to seal the sweep. 

North Dakota returns to the courts tomorrow afternoon against Augustana at 1 p.m.