GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — A short-handed Carson-Newman club (5-7, 3-5 SAC) were no match for the Tusculum Pioneers (14-1, 6-1 SAC) as the Eagles were swept 9-0 in Greeneville Tuesday afternoon at the Nichols Tennis Complex.
"With our depleted roster (Sydney Ledington and Patricia Guerreiro out), Tusculum was too much for us today," coach Jean Love said following the match.
Carson-Newman, who has been dealing with injuries all season long, were tested yet again as two of its top producers were sidelined with ailing issues, which lead to to a shuffled lineup.
New parings were arranged for two of Carson-Newman's doubles teams. At No. 1, the familiar duo of Mallory Jackson (Ewrin, Tenn.) and Jill Corsato-Owsianka (Germany) fell 8-1. Brooke Sanderson (Evans, Ga.) teamed with Haleigh Chastain (Knoxville, Tenn.) at No. 2. The duo fell 8-0 to the Pioneer team.
The Eagle's most successful doubles team all season long, which has featured Jennifer Ott (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Patricia Guerreiro (Portugal), were not in action due to an injury Guerreiro suffered last Sunday against Queens (N.C.). Instead, Ott welcomed freshman Catherine Cook (Morristown, Tenn.) and the combination lost 8-1 to round out the doubles competition.
Nothing went well for the Carson-Newman in singles play, as no player managed to force a third set. Jackson was put away quickly in the number one match, 6-2, 6-0. Ott was swept in one set at No. 3, losing 8-0. Sanderson showed some signs of life while competing at No. 4, but ultimately lost 6-2, 6-1.
Chastain followed the same pattern at No. 5, scoring a few points but losing in two sets 6-3, 6-1. Cook finished the day for the Eagles while falling 8-1 in a one-set sweep at no. 6.
Due to the ongoing injuries prior mentioned, the Eagles were forced to forfeit the second-placed singles match due to a lingering Corsato-Owsianka's injury.
Carson-Newman will look to rest up and try to nurse some of these injured players back to health before hitting the road again Friday for another South Atlantic Confernce match against Coker, which is slated to start 10 a.m.
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