VALDOSTA, Ga. – Coming off the third national title in program history, the top-ranked Valdosta State men's tennis team opened the 2025 season with 6-1 victory over visiting Montevallo Friday afternoon at the VSU Tennis Complex. 
 
The Blazers, who won their 17^th-straight match dating back to last season, swept the doubles point with a 6-1 win by senior Boruch Skierkier and junior Jan Skerbatis made quick work of Paul Sobich and Simon Luigs at No. 2 doubles.  Senior Xaveam Van Wijk and sophomore Matteo Castellazzi downed Guilherme Gracioli and Ryota Nakajima, 6-3 at No. 3 to claim the team point.  At No. 1 doubles, VSU newcomers senior Edgar Destouet and graduate student Arthur Bord trailed 3-4, before winning four of the next five games for a 7-5 victory in front of a large crowd. 
 
Heading to singles, Skierkier, ranked No. 3 nationally, didn't drop a game with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sobich at the top spot for a 2-0 lead.  Freshman Julien Doitteau won 6-4, 6-0 at No. 5 over Nakajima for a 3-0 lead and No. 24-ranked sophomore Jerome Iaconi clinched the match at No. 3 singles, with a 6-3, 6-0 win.  Destouet won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2 over Luiz Brandao for a 5-0 lead.  Gracioli won 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (11-9) at No. 4 for a 5-1 score and Castellazzi won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 6 for the 6-1 victory. 
 
The Blazers return to action on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at the VSU Tennis Complex versus Saint Leo, who VSU defeated in the national semifinals last season.