JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Taking the court for the third time in three days, Carson-Newman (7-6, 5-3 SAC) dropped its first conference match in 20 days, falling to No. 15 Wingate (11-1, 6-0 SAC), 5-2.

Despite the loss, the Eagles fought hard all day, overcoming fatigue from the matches on the previous two days, not making it easy on a Bulldogs squad that has cruised through SAC play.

"The adrenaline of playing a good team like Wingate gave us energy," head coach Jon Parker said. "Both teams played with great passion and determination… This loss only reinforces the belief that we can compete with anyone."

Despite dropping four of the six matches, the Eagles showed a fight in singles play. The two wins for C-N came from freshmen Suryanshi and Leah McBride, who earned points in No. 3 and 5 singles, respectively. Natasha Forrest and Julia Speiser dropped three-set battles in No. 1 and 6. Wingate earned the points in No. 2 and 4 singles in straight-set fashion.

SINGLES RESULTS

No. 1: No. 27 Eva Siska (WU) def. Natasha Forrest (C-N), 6-3/4-6/10-6

No. 2: No. 19 Chloe Kosmrlj (WU) def. Summer Reeves (C-N), 6-1/6-2

No. 3: Suryanshi (C-N) def. Suzuka Sambyakugari (WU), 6-1/6-2

No. 4: Fernanda Castillo (WU) def. Sindija Manovska (C-N), 6-0/6-3

No. 5: Leah McBride (C-N) def. Claudia Vallejos (WU), 8-1

No. 6: Daniela Kotara (WU) def. Julia Speiser (C-N), 4-6/6-2/6-3

Wingate swept doubles play, earning the point. Having some time off before the match, the Bulldogs took advantage of some tired Eagle legs to overpower C-N in doubles play.

DOUBLES RESULTS

No. 1: E. Siska/S. Sambyakugari (WU) def. S. Reeves/N. Forrest (C-N), 6-1

No. 2: D. Kotara/C. Kosmrlj (WU) def. Suryanshi/L. McBride (C-N), 6-4

No. 3: A. Hakovirta/C. Vallejos (WU) def. A. Chornei/J. Speiser (C-N), 6-0

Following a busy week, C-N will take a couple of days to regroup before welcoming in-state rival Lincoln Memorial to town on Wednesday afternoon.