For the third time in five years, the John Carroll Blue Streaks won its first round match of the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championship.

For the first time, JCU pitched a shutout.

The Blue Streaks swept through the doubles competition, then closed out the first round battle with two straight set singles wins to defeat Franciscan, 5-0.

In 2015, John Carroll defeated Franciscan, 5-1, in a first round match up, which was the same score in which the Blue Streaks downed Goucher in a 2017 first round clash.

David Sinense and Andy Siciliano put the first point on the scoreboard by defeating Gary Pierre and Billy Presume, 8-4, at number one doubles. For Sinense, it was career win number 99 (63 doubles, 36 singles).

Adi Jha and Parker Holyn followed soon after with a win over Giorgio Alexander and Aidan Howard at number three doubles by the same 8-4 score.

Gustavo Garcia and Andrew Triner completed the sweep with a win over Luke Conrad and Jack Galla, 8-6, at number two doubles.

In singles play, all six Blue Streaks got out to leads with first set victories. From there it was a matter of who would close out first. Garcia got the fourth points with a 6-0 6-0 win at #3 singles, setting the stage for the clinching point. That would be provided by Doug Moore, who closed out Howard by a 6-1 6-1 at #6 singles.

John Carroll advances to play #5 ranked Wesleyan in the second round on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Johns Hopkins Tennis Courts.

The Blue Streaks are now 10-9 on the year and have won eight consecutive matches.