JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team collected its first home win of the season with an 8-1 victory over Mars Hill, on Saturday afternoon.
"We came out today and played some good doubles." Carson-Newman tennis coach Jean Love said, "That was important for us. We have had several 5-4 losses in conference this season and sometimes the doubles have let us down. So, I was pleased with how we played in doubles."
Carson-Newman (7-8, 5-5) is currently riding a three-match winning streak and has won the past two against South Atlantic Conference opponents. Mars Hill (2-16, 1-10) have now lost their last two games against SAC opponents.
The Eagles used a hot start in doubles play to take an early 3-0 lead over the Lions. For just the second time this season the No. 1 doubles combination was Gabriel Dabdab (Brazil) and Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil). The duo have won four consecutive matches with an 8-4 victory over Alberto Ortiz and Ben Reid. The tandem are now 11-5 overall and 8-1 in conference play.
For the first time during the 2017 season the No. 2 doubles team consisted of Stefano Daza (Venezuela) and Rodolfo Schwarz (Brazil). The duo picked up their third victory of the season in doubles play, with an 8-2 win over Pedro Pinassi and Fernando Neto.
The final pairing in doubles play was Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Spain) and Kevin Mendes (Chattanooga, Tenn.). The tandem defeated Carlos Suares Riesco and Blake Covington 8-4 on Saturday afternoon. The pairing have now won three consecutive matches and are 3-2 on the season.
"Good stuff in singles as well," Love said. "JP (Oliveira) keeps rolling at No.1. Mar (Bantel) outlasted his opponent at No. 2. Stefano was on fire today in singles, Gabriel and Kevin were tough today as well."
The Eagles took the momentum from doubles play and brought the energy into singles competition. At No.1 single Oliveira handled Ortiz with ease 6-2, 6-4 to pick-up his fifth consecutive win. The senior from Brazil is now 11-6 on the year and 7-3 within conference play.
Marc Bantel (Germany) picked up an unconventional win at No. 2 singles on Saturday. Bantel lost the first set 6-2, but battled back to win the second set 6-2. In the third set the score was tied at 4-4, but his opponent Reid had to retire due to injury.
Mars Hill gained their lone point of the afternoon at No. 3 singles. Schwarz won the first set 7-6 and then dropped the second set 6-3. The third set was a battle between the two opponents, but Suares Riesco pulled a way for the 10-6 victory.
Stefano Daza played the last full match for the Eagles at No. 4 singles. The senior easily defeated Pinassi 6-0, 6-1. Daza has now won four consecutive matches and is now 8-9 on the season and 4-6 in conference play.
The No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches only one set was played because the match had already been decided. Dabdab picked up an 8-1 victory, while Mendes picked-up an 8-0 win at No.6 singles. Dabdab is 10-5 overall on the year and is 5-3 in conference play. Mendes is currently riding a five match winning streak and is 11-2 on the season.
"As usual, the effort the guys give match in and match out is great. It has really started to pay off over the last few matches."
The Eagles next match will be at home on Wednesday, April 12, against North Georgia at 2 p.m.
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