The Crusaders, who fell to Asheville last season by getting swept in the doubles competition, made it look easy this time. They didn't even have to play a single doubles match in a 6-0 rout of Charlotte Catholic at the Burlington Tennis Center.

It was the fifth state title in six years for Gibbons, as the Crusaders won four straight crowns before moving up to Class 3-A last season.

Four Triangle-area teams played in the championships on Saturday, but Gibbons was the only one to hoist the first-place trophy.

Gibbons had already swept five singles matches in straight sets when Matt Daly upset state 3-A individual champion Kyle Johnson 6-4, 7-6 (4) for the sweep.

"We felt like at the No. 1 singles they had an advantage, but I knew Matt would battle him," said Gibbons coach Andrew Tuttle, wore a black suit and gold tie at the suggestion of his players. "The other courts I didn't really know what to expect.

"Andrew (Rinderer) hadn't played singles much, but I knew we'd be missing a player so I put him in our semifinal match (against Eastern Wayne). He definitely came through for us."

Daly had played Johnson twice previously, losing both times including in the semifinals of the state individual tournament.

"I had to get that revenge after losing twice to him in the last month," said Daly, a junior. "I really just hung tough and made him play a lot of balls.

"Especially after the tough loss last year, it felt great not to even have to go to doubles."

Rinderer beat Forrest Boone 6-3, 7-6 (3), giving the Crusaders their fifth point.

"I was up 4-1 and gave up a couple of games and getting a little stressed," said Rinderer, a senior who will attend N.C. State. "That was my second singles match all season. I just went out there and played the way I had before."

Gibbons (26-2) set a school single-season victory mark while Catholic finished 11-5.

"There's always pressure when it's a big match like this, but if you don't play your best someone else is going to step up," said Gibbons' No. 2 Geaslen, who beat Nick Bursch 6-2, 6-3 and plans to play for Elon in the fall.