JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (2-5) men's tennis team defeated Lee University (1-1) 5-4 for its first spring season victory this afternoon.

"This was a good team win for us," Carson-Newman head tennis coach Jean Love said. "We are staying focused on the process of getting better, and today that paid off."

Sophomore Juan Perez (Ecuador) took down Alberto Calle at no. 1 singles 6-3, 6-2. At no. 2 singles, Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) pulled out a 6-1, 6-3 win over Richard Gamble. After three sets, Stefano Daza sealed the third point in singles play with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 final against Daniel Hardesty in the no. 3 spot.

"Solid singles performances were turned in by Juan, JP and Stefano," Coach Love said, "as they won their matches to clinch the team victory for C-N."

Jonathan Allen (Lenoir City, Tenn.) took Kevin Tan to three sets at no. 4 singles before dropping the match 6-7, 6-3, 10-4. Allen secured the first set after a five-point tiebreaker. Austin Mackay (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) fell just shy of success at no. 5 singles with a 6-3, 6-4 score in favor of Vincent Audy.

"Even though the outcome was not in our favor," Coach Love said, "Jon turned in a good singles performance. Austin was only one or two points away from turning his match around."

In doubles play, Perez and Oliveira beat Gamble and Hardesty 8-3 in the no. 1 spot. At no. 2 doubles, Mackay and Daza scorched Calle and Westley Lemke 8-1.

At no. 3 doubles, Daniel Douglas (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Allen battled hard before dropping an 8-6 contest to Audy and Tan.

We came out strong at no. 1 and 2 doubles," Coach Love said, "as Juan/JP and Austin/Stefano took care of business to put us up 2-1 after the doubles."

The men take the court at home again Thursday at 1 p.m. against Alabama-Huntsville.