JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second consecutive match the Carson-Newman men's tennis team loses by a final score of 5-4, this time it was against Lincoln Memorial.
"A hard fought, heart-wrenching match for the guys," Carson-Newman tennis coach Jean Love said. "We play so hard, the effort is there. We just cannot figure out a way to win some big points at the important times. I love this team though. They support one another and they compete hard."
Carson-Newman (4-8, 3-5) have now lost three consecutive matches within conference play and are now 3-3 when matches are decided by a single game. Lincoln Memorial (12-2, 4-1) has now won the past seven straight against the Eagles dating back to the 2010 season.
The Eagles got off to a rough start within doubles play losing two out of the three matches played. The No. 1 tandem of Stefano Daza (Venezuela) and Rodolfo Schwarz (Brazil) were unable to carry their momentum from Friday afternoon into Tuesday's match against Lincoln Memorial. The duo lost 8-2 and fall to 2-8 on the season at No. 1 doubles.
The No. 2 doubles team of Joao Pedro Oliveria (Brazil) and Gabriel Dabdab (Brazil) meanwhile got back to their winning ways against the Railsplitters. The duo won 8-3, improving their overall record to 8-5 on the season and 6-1 within conference play.
"JP and Dabdab got back to their old selves in doubles today helping us salvage at least one point from the doubles," Love said.
Carson-Newman tested out a different pairing at No. 3 doubles with the team of Kevin Mendes (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Spain). The paired had only played together once before the match on Tuesday afternoon. The outcome was the same on both occasions with a loss at the final doubles position.
In singles play the Eagles tried to generate some momentum at the top spot of the lineup. Oliveria picked up a 6-3, 6-2 victory for his second consecutive win. The senior is 8-6 on the year and is now 5-3 within South Atlantic Conference play.
The troubles continue though for Schwarz and Bantel at the top of the lineup. Schwarz lost his second consecutive game, while Bantel lost his fourth straight. Schwarz is 2-8 overall on the year and is just 1-6 at the No. 2 singles position. Bantel is just 3-10 on the year with a 1-6 record at No. 3 singles.
Daza broke out of slump at the No. 4 singles position with a three set win. The senior is now 5-9 on the season and has improved his three set match record to 4-3. Mendes picked up his second consecutive victory at the No. 6 singles position. Mendes has compiled an 8-2 overall record and a 6-2 record within SAC play.
Dabdab fell in No.5 singles 6-4, 6-3 to David Segarra. The freshmen has not lost back-to-back matches all season. Dabdab is 7-5 overall on the year and 3-3 within conference play.
"The comeback started to mount as Stefaon won a three set thriller. Kevin won at the No. 6 singles position, Dabdab just could not pull off the comeback though at No. 5 singles," Love said.
The Eagles will travel to the University of Cumberlands on March 30 at 1 p.m.
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