VIDEO: Jean Love Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.— Juan Sebastian Perez (Ecuador) will bid farewell to Carson-Newman in the senior's final home-match of his four-year career as the Eagles welcome South Atlantic Conference nemesis Tusculum to the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
The senior has accumulated a 32-43 record in singles play in four years going into Tuesday's match while competing in the top- two spots of the Eagles' (6-12, 3-7 SAC) lineup throughout his career. Perez showcases a 10-8 record so far in the 2016 campaign and had a seven-match winning streak from March 18 to April 2.
"Juan from day one as a freshman has either played at No. 1 or No. 2 singles and at doubles. He has been a really solid player for us at the top of the lineup his entire career," coach Jean Love said. "That is what you have to have. You have to have someone that is good enough and is willing to take on the best of the best from every team. He has improved each and every year he has been here."
The squad that holds court just 45 minutes northeast on I-81 from Mossy Creek was picked as the third-best team when the SAC released its preseason poll prior to the start of the season. Tusculum also received two first placed-votes when the selection process endured.
As it currently stands as of Monday, April 11, the Pioneers (17-2, 8-1 SAC) are ranked second in the SAC with an 8-1 conference record and have already clinched a berth in the SAC tournament at season's end.
Tusculum lost its last outing of the season in a matchup at Bluefield State on April 10, losing 3-6 to the nation's 41st-best team. The squad's only other loss of the season, and its lone conference loss, came on April 12 with a 4-5 decision at Anderson.
The Pioneers also showcase three preseason All-SAC selections on the year with Leon Seiz and Tashique Kader representing the squad as a first team doubles paring. Seiz, along with Jonas Winkleman, were also were tabbed to the singles team after going a combined 30-7 a season ago.
Seiz and Kader have compiled a 13-3 record competing in both the No. 1 and 2 slots for the Pioneers in doubles play. Winkleman has notched 12 wins in parts at in the first three-positions of single splay and Seiz has a 10-8 record on the year in the back end of the lineup.
Winkleman is the lone senior on the roster for a Tusculum club that has a fairly balanced sample size of age this season. The Pioneers also field two freshmen and juniors, as well as three sophomores.
"We have to come out strong in doubles. If we can come out and score a point or two on either side of the doubles, that will give us a chance," Love said. "For us to do that, we must play good-percentage tennis and not make a lot of unforced errors. There have been times this year when we have done that and there has also been times when we have not. That is what we are looking to do."
A complete recap can be found at cneagles.com following Tuesday's match against Tusculum.
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