HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton men's tennis defeated The Sage Colleges, 9-0, in the Highlanders' final regular season home match of the season Friday afternoon.

With temperatures in the 60s, the teams were able to compete on the outdoor courts for the first time this spring.

The win guaranteed the Highlanders the second seed in next weekend's Empire 8 Championship, which Houghton will be hosting.

Against the Gators, the Highlanders took the three doubles matches, 8-1, 8-3, 8-1. Seniors Jordan Crouch and Bjorn Webb, who've been teammates since middle school, teamed up for the win in first doubles on senior day.

Houghton lost just six of 78 games in the singles matches. Crouch (third singles), Webb (fourth singles) and Holden Cole (sixth singles) each won their matches, 6-0, 6-0. Louis-Guillaume Garcia and Zach Shilvock each lost just one game in their first and second singles matches, respectively. Matt Greer won fifth singles, 6-2, 6-2.

The Highlanders conclude their regular season when they travel to take on Nazareth on Saturday.