ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Drew University men's tennis team opened the NCAA Division III Championships with a 5-1 first-round victory over St. Mary's College of Maryland on Friday at North Carolina Wesleyan University.
 
With the victory, the Rangers (17-4) advanced to the second round and will take on 28th-ranked Skidmore College on Saturday at 10 a.m.
 
Drew, which won its last seven matches, has now tied the 1996-97 squad that finished 17-1 for the second-most wins in program history.
 
The Rangers took a 2-1 lead after doubles play. At the No. 1 spot, senior Avi Perera and junior Daryl Wong Li-Hom earned an 8-6 victory, improving to 12-1 on the season. In addition, Wong Li-Hom upped his record to 21-6, moving into sole possession of second in program history for doubles wins in a season.
 
Senior John Dickey and junior Jack Polvere were also victorious in doubles play, capturing an 8-3 decision at the No. 2 spot.
 
In singles action, senior Leo Ambrogio cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3, pushing his record to 16-8, before junior Santo Carroccia rallied for an 0-6, 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 5, moving to 15-6 on the season. Perera then clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 1, moments before Wong Li-Hom would have earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 2.
 
The Rangers are now 5-5 all-time in NCAA Championship play and have won their last four first-round matches.