HARTSVILLE, S.C. — The Carson-Newman Eagles (3-9, 2-7 SAC) will return home to Mossy Creek empty handed yet again as they fell to Coker (5-11, 3-5 SAC) 6-3 Friday afternoon at the Coker Tennis Courts.

"Tough match to lose," coach Jean Love said. "Good effort but just can not find a way to win."

Carson-Newman continued their normal trend in doubles as they took two out of three points to open up the day against the Cobras. Juan Sebastian Perez (Ecuador) and teammate Kevin Mendes (Woodstock, Ga.) took the crown in the second round matchup, as they ran away with an 8-4 victory. Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) then linked up with partner Austin Mackay (Oak Ridge, Tenn) and won at No. 3 in a decisive manner, 8-2.  

The Eagles, however, failed to carry on the momentum upon entering singles play, as Mendes was the only player to come out with a victory. The freshman won his No. 5 match 6-2, 6-4. 

Leadoff man Oliveira had no such luck at the top of the order today while falling to his counterpart 5-7, 6-1, 6-4. Stefano Daza (Venezuela) then followed in similar footsteps as he was put out rather quickly at 6-1, 6-1 in just two sets of the second match. Perez showed some life at No. 3, but ultimately came out on the wrong end of a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 decision. 

Fellow seniors Mackay and Garret Duron (Woodstock, Ga.) rounded out the day for the Eagles, both in losing fashion. Mackay fought through a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 loss at No.4, while Durron was edged in his final set, 5-7, 7-6, 10-7, to lose in the final match of the day.

The loss marks Carson-Newman's fifth South Atlantic Conference loss in a row and their ninth this season. With two of the seven matches remaining being against SAC squads, Carson-Newman will need to continue their efforts for a late season serge for any hope of postseason play. 

Carson-Newman will be at it again on Monday as they welcome Reinhardt to the Carson-Newman Tennis Complex for a 1:30 start time. 

-CN-