JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—The Carson-Newman men's tennis team narrowly missed out on what would have been its first win of the season Friday afternoon as the University of the Cumberlands was able to hold off a surging flock of Eagles 5-4 to secure the Patriots' fourth win of the year.
"That was a really tough loss of our men's team," coach Jean Love said following the match. "We were so close at winning at No. 1 doubles and that would have made the difference for us. Hopefully we can build on this."
The No. 1 doubles pairing of Joao Pedro Oliveira (Brazil) and Stefano Daza (Venezuela) came up just a little bit short after forcing seven-game points in the first duals contest. The partners fell to the first-seeded Patriot (4-1) pairing 9-7 to begin the afternoon.
Juan Sabastian Perez (Ecuador) and Kevin Mendes (Woodstock, Ga.) tried to hold court in the second doubles match, but were unable to keep up with the high-powered teamwork of Aatu Merenheimo and Daniel Butcher to lose 8-2.
Carson-Newman's (0-3) first overall match point of the day came at No. 3 singles. Debuting together for the first time this season, Jesus Barcete (Spain) and Lee Presson (Crossville, Tenn.) took down a pair of Patriots 8-4 to give the Eagles some momentum heading into singles play.
After picking up one of three doubles matches, Carson-Newman then split singles play 3-3 to end the day on the light side of the 5-4 outcome.
Oliveira led things off for the Eagles at No. 1 singles by losing 6-2, 6-0 to Ariez Heshaam. Butcher then made it two in a row for the Patriots by taking down Perez 6-2 in two sets in the second-seeded match.
Daza then put C-N back on the board in the third-place singles match as the junior took down Merenheimo 6-3, 10-5 to give the Eagles their second point of the match.
"I really liked the way we responded in singles play," Love added. "After the deflating loss at No. 1 doubles, we could have let that affect us negatively. Instead, we hung in there."
However, Marc Bantel (Germany) could not keep the ball rolling for the home team. The freshman came up short against Daniel Fraser in two sets, losing 6-3, 6-2.
Despite the match being heavily decided, Carson-Newman continued to push all the way through the final singles match.
The Eagles were able to end the day on a high note by winning the final two matches in singles play.
Mendes was able to take care of business in two sets by winning 7-6, 6-0 at No. 5. Barcete then followed suit in winning 6-4, 6-1 I the final round to give the Eagles their fourth and final match point.
"I really like the play of Jesus Barcete so far in this young season. He was responsible for two of the four team points today. He and partner Lee Presson started strong at No. 3 doubles and then Jesus took a straight set win in singles," Love said. "Stefano Daza and Kevin Mendes also got singles wins with strong performances."
Carson-Newman will be at it again Saturday afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m. as the Eagles will play host to Southern Wesleyan for back-to-back day action at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex. A recap will be followed online at cneagles.com at the conclusion of the match.
-CN-
