CLAREMONT, Calif. - The top-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's tennis team defeated Redlands 4-0 on Saturday at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center to claim its 18th straight SCIAC title.

The win was the 28th in a row for the Stags, who improve to 28-2 this season after falling twice on opening day by 4-3 scores to Division II teams (Concordia, Point Loma). CMS also extends its winning streak in SCIAC-sponsored matches to 170 in a row, a 20-year run which dates back to 2005, including 158 regular season matches and 12 SCIAC Postseason Tournament matches since the new format was adopted in 2018. 

CMS took the doubles point as Matthew Robinson and Warren Pham earned a 6-2 win at No. 3, and Caleb Settles and Brandon Vu earned a 6-4 win at No. 1. Advik Mareedu and Josh Kim were leading 5-3 at No. 2 when their match was halted. 

The Stags had tight battles at the top of the ladder in singles, but their depth allowed them to control courts 4-6 to come away with the win. Tarm Rojanasoonthon was the first to finish with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5 to put CMS ahead 2-0. 

CMS then got their third and fourth points within moments of each other to get the clinch. Settles finished off a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 6, using a clutch crosscourt winner to set up match point. Seconds later, Kim finished off a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 4 to give CMS the conference crown. 

The top three limes were all close, as Mareedu led 6-3, 5-6 at No. 1, Pham was trying for a split down 3-6, 5-4 at No. 2, and Robinson was leading 6-4, 2-5 at No. 3. Kim trailed early in the second set but came back for the 6-1, 6-4 clinch to seal the win.

CMS is ranked No. 1 in the nation and will be a likely regional host when the pairings are announced on Monday. The Stags will then try to win their regional and advance through to nationals, which will be held at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center from May 19-26.