ORLANDO, Fla. - Carson-Newman men's tennis team fell 7-2 to Florida Tech on Friday afternoon at the USTA national campus.
"The men got off to a slow start in doubles, but came back and played strong in singles play." Carson-Newman coach Jean Love said, "Overall we competed well but we just didn't execute in doubles and we left points out on the court in singles play."
For the fourth consecutive year the Carson-Newman men's tennis team has started the season 0-1. The last Eagle victory to come on an opening day match was on Feb. 17, 2012, when they defeated the University of the Cumberlands 7-2.
Stefano Daza (Venezuela) and Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Madrid, Spain) were the only Eagles to pick up victories on Friday afternoon. Daza defeated Majed Alshaikh in a three-set match 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 4 singles position. Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Madrid, Spain) picked up a win at the No. 6 spot 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 against Florida Tech's Kleanthis Zisis Tegos.
Carson-Newman had losses at the No.1, No.2 and No.3 singles positions. Preseason All-South Atlantic second-team singles player Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) dropped the first set 2-6 before coming back and winning the second set 6-3. Oliveira ultimately fell in the final set 6-1 to Aria Canadell of Florida Tech (1-0).
Rodolfo Schwarz (Brazil) lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 to Ricardo Corona at the No.2 singles spot. It was Schwarz's first collegiate match since the 2010 tennis season. Marc Bantel (Germany) dominated the first set 6-1 before losing the final two sets 2-6, 5-7 to Wade Ball. Gabriel Dabdab (Brazil) lost at No. 5 singles in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 to Florida Tech's James Finnigan.
The Eagles lost all three doubles matches on the afternoon. In No.1 doubles play the duo of Daza and Schwarz fell to the Panthers duo of Canadell and Corona 8-1. The No.2 doubles team of Oliveira and Dabdab came the closest to a victory with an 8-6 defeat. The Panthers team of Ball and Tjimon Louisy completed the sweep of Carson-Newman in doubles play, defeating Bantel and Bacete-Sanz 8-4.
The Carson-Newman men's tennis team will be back in action Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. against Palm Beach Atlantic.
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