GREENWOOD, S.C. - The top-ranked and seeded Armstrong Atlantic State University men's tennis squad opened up defense of its' Peach Belt Conference tournament title with a 5-0 blanking of eighth-seeded and No. 33-ranked USC Aiken on Friday afternoon at the Greenwood Country Club.

The Pirates remain unbeaten on the season at 22-0, while USC Aiken falls to 9-8 on the season. Armstrong will advance to face fifth-seeded Georgia College - 5-3 winners over fourth-seeded Francis Marion - at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday in the PBC Tournament semifinals.

Armstrong notched a quick 3-0 lead after doubles play as the top-ranked duo of Mikk Irdoja and Georgi Rumenov beat No. 24-ranked Patrick Stiebinger and Nathan Berlyn, 8-4, at No. 1 doubles. No. 16-ranked Sven Lalic and Pedro Scocugila beat Bruno Orlandini and Harrison Silvy, 8-1, at No. 2 doubles, while Eudaldo Bonet and Matus Mydla completed the sweep with an 8-1 win over Guilherme Destefani and Lucas Gobbi at No. 3 doubles.

The Pirates then won two quick straight set singles matches to clinch the semifinals berth. PBC Freshman of the Year and No. 32-ranked Lalic beat Silvy, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 4 singles, then No. 35-ranked Scocuglia downed Gobbi, 6-0, 6-4, at No. 5 singles.

Armstrong has won the last seven Peach Belt Conference men's tournament titles, dating back to 2005.