JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After a midweek slate that saw back-to-back wins, the Carson-Newman women's tennis team looks to keep momentum on its side as the Eagles take on another back-to-back slate with a neutral site match against Martin Methodist at the Lincoln Memorial Roundup at the LMU Tennis Complex in Harrogate, Tenn. on Saturday at 5 p.m. before returning home to host Converse on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Head coach Jean Love's team started the week with a Tuesday blanking of NAIA opponent Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, Tenn. before the Eagles (2-2) returned home to take a thrilling 5-4 victory over Lee on Wednesday afternoon that came down to the final match on the court with No. 6 player Klara Vuckovic (Germany) solidifying the Eagles' second consecutive win of the week.
"After two tough losses to begin the season to NCAA region or nationally ranked teams, it was nice to win a few matches," head coach Jean Love said. "In our latest match win against Lee, I liked the way the women competed in singles after falling behind in the doubles."
While the win over Lee was a momentum boost for the Eagles, it did come with a price as junior Ali Harris (Crossville, Tenn.) went down with an unfortunate ankle injury. Before the injury that halted the No. 3 matchup, she had also split time at the top singles position for a 1-3 total record. In doubles play, she played at the top-two positions with Alisa Liashova (Ukraine) and Mallory Jackson (Erwin, Tenn.) for a 2-2 doubles record.
"I am not sure when we will get her back," Love mentioned. "Tennis is all about the matchups and removing Ali from our singles line up means we move players up. So the matchups are not as favorable now.
"Also, it means we will have to scramble some with the doubles line up. Hopefully, we will get her back sooner rather than later. We will just have to deal with it, and we do have some depth on the roster, which eases the situation some."
Coming from the NAIA, the RedHawks (3-3, 3-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) enter the match following a 5-1 loss to William Carey University last Saturday that broke a three-game winning streak the team had racked up. The loss was their second suffered shutout of the season, the last one coming in a 9-0 loss to Division I team North Alabama.
Head coach Travis Rieger is in his first season at the helm of the Martin Methodist women's team. He is just the second coach for the program in the modern era.
The team is filled with youthful talent considering the 8-woman roster is comprised of a freshman with four sophomores. A pair of juniors in Miriam Sanchez and Darby Tompkins alongside senior Brenda Rique mark the only heavily experienced players on the roster.
In 2017, the RedHawks garnered a 6-7 record and a visit to the SAAC Tennis Championships where they fell to Middle Georgia State College, 5-2.
Saturday's match at the LMU Roundup will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Sunday the Eagles will return to the banks of Mossy Creek to host Converse.
Converse (2-4) is currently on a three-game losing streak heading into Mossy Creek. The Valkyries will host Lees-McRae on Saturday before making the trek to Jefferson City.
Fourth-year head coach Katie Mancebo's team opened the season with a 7-2 victory over Mars Hill back on Sept. 26. The Valkyries' next win didn't come until Sept. 30 in an 8-1 advantage over Pfeiffer.
The eight-woman roster is led by sophomores Steffi Kong and Taylor Parrott who have split time as the top singles players this season, both garnering 1-2 records at the position.
Doubles play has been a rough spot for the Valkyries this season with a 39-percent winning clip in such matches.
Converse was picked to finish ninth in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches' poll after a 2017 season that saw the team finish with a 6-16 record.
This will be the third meeting between the Eagles and Valkyries this decade with C-N riding a three-match winning streak against Converse.
The last time these two teams met was on Feb. 28, 2016 when the Eagles swept the Valkyries 9-0.
"This weekend will be a good test for us with a revamped line up in doubles and singles," Love said. "We will need to compete well with the same intensity as we did in singles against Lee. Also, we need to play more aggressively in doubles as well as cut down on the unforced errors."
Saturday's first serve between the Eagles and RedHawks is slated for 5 p.m. at the LMU Tennis Complex in Harrogate, Tenn. while Sunday's first serve from the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex against Converse is set for 1 p.m. Results and recaps will follow the conclusion of both matches at cneagles.com.
