JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman's men's tennis team heads to Harrogate, Tenn., for the second time to match up against Union College (Ky.) on Tuesday, Feb. 21st.
Carson-Newman only played two Tuesday game spring last season, and has just two scheduled this year. The Eagles won both of their Tuesday matchups last year. The First was against Sewanee College with a score of 5-4 on Feb. 15th. The second was on Mar. 22nd when the Eagles defeated Lincoln Memorial 7-0.
The Eagles will look to break out of their four-game losing slump, beginning after their opening-day victory against Belmont Abbey. The Eagles had not lost more than four in a row since the 2019 spring season when they went on an 11-game losing streak.
Union College began last season with a #9 ITA NAIA ranking. They finished at #6, marking their highest ranking in program history. They finished last year with a 19-6 record in the NAIA's Appalachian Atlantic Conference.
The Bulldogs made it to the semifinals in the AAC Championship but lost 4-3 to ninth-ranked Montreat. The Bulldogs won a pair of games in the NAIA National Championship Tournament against #23 McPherson College and #6 William Carey. Their season ended with a quarterfinal loss to #3 Kesier.
The Eagles faced Union College last season in the season opener. The Eagles beat the #9 ranked Bulldogs 5-2. Carson-Newman won two out of three doubles matches, an area the Eagles have struggled with, having won just four doubles sets in five games this season. Carson-Newman is 2-4 all-time against the Bulldogs. Their first meeting was during the 2007 season. Union College won 8-1.
In addition to the doubles point, wins from Marc Janse, Ids Waterbolk, Lars Hordijk, and Gjorgji Jankulovski propelled the Eagles past the Bulldogs. The momentum from their win over Union College allowed the Eagles to win five out of the first six matches to start last season.
Marnix Van Dalen and Jankulovski lead the Eagles with wins this season with a record of 3-2 each, respectively. Van Dalen has seen most of his work in the two spot, where he has a record of 3-1. Jakulovski has primarily played in the four spot, holding a 2-2 record. Marc Janse is second in wins this season, with two coming from the number one spot. Javier Crespo Sanchez, Hordijk, and Waterbolk each have one win a piece.
Doubles action will begin at 1:00 P.M. in Lincoln Memorial University's Indoor Tennis Complex.
For more updates on Carson-Newman's men's tennis, visit CNEagles.com or follow Carson-Newman Athletics on social media.
