SALISBURY, N.C. — The Carson-Newman men's tennis team (3-4, 2-2 SAC) seems to be finding its groove after a 7-2 South Atlantic Conference victory over the Catawba Indians (11-6, 2-3 SAC) for its second consecutive victory and the third in its last four outings.
"Important win for us. We put it all together today and we did the little things well," coach Jean Love said. "We played smart tennis."
The Eagles started off their dominating day by winning two of three points in doubles. The No. 2 duo of Juan Sebastian Perez (Ecuador) and Kevin Mendes (Woodstock, Ga.) took down a pair of Indians with a score of 8-6. Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) and Austin Mackay (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) followed suit winning the No. 3 doubles point 8-4. This is the seventh-consecutive win for the pair, extending their undefeated mark on the season.
"The doubles got us off to a good start," Love said. "Both Juan and J.P. scored nice wins at the top of the lineup."
The same pattern was followed while entering singles play as Carson-Newman won five of their six matches in the frame. Oliveira again began the surge as he took down the Catawba No. 1 player 6-3, 6-3. Stefano Daza (Venezuela) followed closely, winning the No. 2 match 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Perez also accompanied his teammates at No. 3, winning 6-4, 7-5.
"Austin battled at No. 4 singles," Love said. "He made a fantastic comeback in the second set of his match to extend it to a third set. Even though he lost in the third set, it really provided momentum."
Mackay failed to pick up a win at No. 4, however, falling to 6-4, 6-7 (9), 7-5. Mendes and Garret Duron (Woodstock, Ga) concluded the day with victories for the Eagles. Mendes came through on top, winning the No. 5 match 6-3, 6-3. Duron wrapped things up at No. 6, winning 7-6, 7-6.
The Eagles will try to keep the streak going as they head to Charlotte for a match-up with the SAC-leading Wingate Bulldogs Saturday for a 3 p.m. match time.
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