Monmouth opened Midwest Conference play on a good note, defeating rival Knox 8-1 Saturday at the Monmouth College Tennis Stadium.
 
The Scots swept doubles as Joseph Shie and Zach Harris rolled to an 8-2 win at No. 1. The No. 3 team of Alex Martin and Nicholas Robertson eased by the Fire 8-4. Only Brendan Guenther and Andrew Shie at No. 2 where tested, but they fought through to an 8-6 win.
 
Monmouth took five of the six singles matches in straight sets. Joseph Shie took little time at No. 1 with a 6-1, 6-2 win. Younger brother Andrew Shie posted a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 2. A 6-2, 6-2 win by Robertson at No. 6 rounded out the closest wins. Harris at No. 3 dropped just one game and Guenther was perfect in his blanking of Knox at No. 5. Martin went the full three sets, dropping the first and last sets by 6-2 scores, but winning the middle set by the same score.
 
The Scots travel to Clinton, Iowa, Sunday for a 10 a.m. match with Loras.