JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Facing an early deficit, Carson-Newman (9-7, 7-4 SAC) delivered a come-from-behind victory on Senior Day, defeating No. 31 Newberry (11-6, 7-5 SAC), 4-3.
Seniors Natasha Forrest, Anita Chornei, and Summer Reeves were honored after four years in Mossy Creek and earned a pivotal win in SAC play on Senior Day.
Dropping the doubles point early, the Eagles relied on clutch play in singles to power the comeback. Anita Chornei earned a three-set win in the No. 1 slot to give the Eagles a big point in the top spot. After dropping the next two points, ironically, the freshmen Suryanshi, Leah McBride, and Sindija Manovska helped propel C-N to a win on Senior Day with three consecutive wins to clinch the match.
"I was really impressed with the girls," head coach Jon Parker said. "Suryanshi, Leah, and Sindija dominated their singles matches… The freshmen stepped up. Anita did her thing and won a clutch match in three sits."
Due to clutch performances with their backs against the wall, the Eagles did enough to secure an impressive ranked win late in the South Atlantic Conference season.
SINGLES RESULTS
No. 1: Anita Chornei (C-N) def. Emma Arnal (NU), 3-6/6-3/6-0
No. 2: Sofia Cardenas (NU) def. Natasha Forrest (C-N), 6-3/6-0
No. 3: Margarita Nikonorova (NU) def. Summer Reeves (C-N), 6-3/6-2
No. 4: Suryanshi (C-N) def. Ish Singh (NU), 6-2/6-4
No. 5: Leah McBride (C-N) def. Aina Miralles (NU), 5-7/6-3/6-1
No. 6: Sindija Manovska (C-N) def. Rosie Harfield (NU), 7-5/6-2
In doubles play, Newberry took the point with wins in the No. 1 and 3 positions. However, it was again the freshman duo of McBride and Suryanshi who provided a glimpse into the future of the women's tennis program, earning their ninth win of the season.
DOUBLES RESULTS
No. 1: Harfield/Singh (NU) def. Forrest/Reeves (C-N), 6-2
No. 2: McBride/Suryanshi (C-N) def. Nikonorova/Arnal (NU), 6-2
No. 3: Miralles/Cardenas (NU) def. Chornei/Speiser (C-N), 6-2
With the win, C-N shifts above Newberry in the SAC standings into the No. 6 spot with one match left. Tied with Catawba at 7-4, C-N can move into 5th with a win tomorrow at Mars Hill and a Catawba loss at Tusculum. The Eagles will face off with the Mountain Lions tomorrow at 1:30 PM with the No. 5 spot still up for grabs.
