VIDEO: Love Interview 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team is looking to win its first match of the 2017 season against Bellarmine University.

"They were good teams and we wanted to see where we were," Carson-Newman tennis coach Jean Love said. "We competed well, we made to many errors and we need to get better at doubles. I expected for us to do a little bit better but we had three new doubles combinations. In singles play we had patches of good play, we just have to get better."

Carson-Newman (0-2) is trying to avoid starting the season with three straight losses for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Eagles picked up a 7-2 victory over Bellarmine (0-3). The Eagles swept singles play against the Knights before dropping the two matches in doubles play.

Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Spain) was the lone Eagle to pick up two victories over the weekend during singles play at the No. 6 position. Stefano Daza (Venezuela) had a victory against Florida Tech and Gabriel Dabdab (Brazil) had a victory on Saturday against Palm Beach Atlantic.

"He's (Bacete-Sanz) play was smart, he played the most consistent on the big points," Love said." "He played with a lot of energy and passion that he always brings to the table. He played well at the appropriate times and druing the big points." 

The Knights are 0-3 this season and are led by Jose Legarreta at the No.1 position and Zachary Kuo at the No.2 position singles spots. Legarreta is 2-1, while Kuo is 3-0 to begin the 2017 season.

"JP (Joao Pedro Oliveira) and Rodolfo (Schwarz) will have to play well and I think they can." Love said, "Hopefully will play the bigger points better than our opponents can." 

The Eagles will look to right there wrongs in doubles play as all three tandems look to pick up their first victories of the season. The Knights top two doubles teams each have a victory on the season. 

"We've got to get a quick start in doubles and to start fast," Love said. "In singles we just need to continue on the path we are on and clean up a few spots, while playing better." 

-CN-