Visiting Covenant took a hard-fought 7-2 win over LaGrange in the USA South opener for both teams Friday. The Scots (4-1, 1-0 USA South) are the USA South West Division preseason favorite.

The Panthers (2-1, 0-1 USA South) lost four of the six singles matches in three sets to the Scots. John Mitchell Benton, at #5 singles, won in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 over Paxton Haggerty for LC's lone win in singles. Benton teamed up with Trevor McLemore to take the #3 doubles match 9-7. Carlos Valdez and Bryan Bush defeated Tristian Smallwood and Sam Jordan 8-1 in a doubles exhibition match.

The Panthers face Transylvania in Sewanee, Tennessee on Saturday, then take on nationally-ranked Sewanee on Sunday.