KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Despite a pair of crucial players out of the lineup, Carson-Newman men's tennis captured a 4-3 victory against Milligan College on Saturday at the Knoxville Racquet Club.
Both senior captain Gabriel Dabdab (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and freshman Hugo Castets (Gradignan, France) were unable to play due to injury, but the remaining six were able to capture four singles victories – at Nos. 1-4 singles – to clinch the match.
The first four singles are a combined 10-2 to start the season.
Avoiding the elements by playing indoors in Knoxville, C-N was able to move to 3-0 for the first time in over 10 years. The win Saturday already matches last season's total, respectively.
"This team wasn't going to use the two (of Dabdab and Castets) being out as an excuse," head coach Jim Frederick said. "That's just not who they are."
Wins by Rintaro Oka (Narita, Japan), Marc Janse (Zeewolde, Netherlands) and Ids Waterbolk (Bennekom, Netherlands) move the trio to 3-0 in dual match play this season – the remaining three with unblemished singles records thus far.
Graduate Julian Froehlich (Kobenz, Austria) picked up the win at No. 3 singles to move to 2-1 overall on the season individually.
Beginning with the doubles point, the pairs of Oka/Janse was able to capture a 6-1 victory over the Buffs, but Nos. 2 and 3 doubles fell short with Milligan finding the opening point. The No. 2 pair of Waterbolk/Froehlich fell 7-6, while Tennesseans Joshua Ott (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Daniel Cox (Chattanooga, Tenn.) dropped by a 6-3 final.
Doubles continues to be a point of emphasis to grow in for coach Frederick, though his singles performances at the top of the lineup continued to shine to overlook the blighted point to begin the match.
C-N is back in action Sunday when the team returns to the Knoxville Racquet Club to face King at 10 a.m.
