JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team returns to Mossy Creek for its home opener against Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday afternoon.

Carson-Newman (1-2) is coming off its first victory of the 2017 campaign, a 5-4 victory against Bellarmine University. The Eagles have lost four straight matches to Tennessee Wesleyan (2-0) dating back to the 2013 season.

"Kevin Mendes (Chattanooga, Tenn.) performed really well and he has been working really hard both on the court and in the training room." Carson-Newman coach Jean Love said, "He played almost flawless tennis in the third set and closed the match out for us and won the match."

Stefano Daza (Venezuela), Gabriel Dabdab (Brazil) and Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Spain) all have two victories in singles play. Joao Pedro Oliveria (Brazil) picked up his first win of the 2017 season at the No.1 singles position against Bellarmine.

In doubles play the tandems of Daza and Rodolpho Schwarz (Brazil) picked up their first victory of the season at No.1 doubles. Bacete-Sanz and Mendes won their first match paired together at the No.3 season. 

"We've got some momentum because we played well at the start of the season in Florida." Love said, "Bellarmine was a tough team playing indoors on a fast surface...I like the better consistency that we've been doing on the men's side. If we go in and continue to do some of the things that we need to do." 

The Eagles look to keep the winning streak alive on Friday afternoon against the Bulldogs. 

-CN-