WINGATE, N.C. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team found themselves down early and often in a 7-2 loss to Wingate on Friday afternoon.

"Tough day for us," Carson-Newman coach Jean Love said. "Wingate was solid in doubles and took the momentum away from us. We never got it back. We played decently in spots but were not consistent enough."

Carson-Newman (3-5, 2-2) did have some bright spots against Wingate (9-2, 5-0) on Friday afternoon. Marc Bantel (Germany) played his first match of the season at No. 4 singles and won a three-set thriller. After losing the first set 1-6, Bantel won the second set 6-4 to force a winners-take-all third set. The sophomore won the final set 11-9 to give the Eagles their first match win of the afternoon.

Kevin Mendes (Chattanooga, Tenn.) won at No. 6 singles after the match was already decided. The junior picked up an 8-4 victory to improve to 5-1 on the season and is currently on a three match winning streak.

Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) saw his two match winning streak come to an end on Friday afternoon. The senior lost 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 1 singles position. Rodolfo Schwarz (Brazil) continues his woes at the No.2 singles position losing 6-1, 6-0. The loss drops Schwarz to 1-5 on the season in singles play.

Stefano Daza (Venezuela) was unable to duplicate his success at the No. 3 singles position as he lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Spain) has now lost three-straight matches after a 6-1, 6-3 loss at No. 5 singles.

The Eagles did not fair very well in doubles play dropping all three matches. The No.1 doubles tandem of Daza and Schwarz fell 8-4, extending their losing streak to six in a row. The Eagles No.2 doubles team of Oliveira and Mendes lost 8-5. It was the first match the two had played together as partners this season.

Rounding out doubles play was the No. 3 tandem of Bantel and Bacete-Sanz. The duo lost 8-5, giving Wingate all three wins in doubles play.

The Eagles next match will be at Catawba on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

-CN-