Video: Gabriel Dabdab Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (5-7, 3-3 SAC) are coming off a mixed result weekend against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears and Newberry Wolves. Well, Wednesday will see the Eagles continue their trip through the animal kingdom as they play host to the Mars Hill Lions (2-8, 1-7 SAC) from the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex.
This weekend saw a defeat for C-N by the Bears before a solid team rebound and victory over the Wolves. Saturday was another top-notch performance by sophomore Marc Janse (Zeewolde, Netherlands) who continued his unblemished start to singles action against SAC opponents. He took home a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 triumph over his L-R opposition. Janse was joined on the victory side of the net by grad student Gabriel Dabdab (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) who came away with another crucial SAC singles victory in hopes of sparking his team. Dabdab was the 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victor on Saturday and moved his season record to 7-4 at the number four/five singles position.
"I think it will be important to win so we have a positive record in these last three matches. Mars Hill will have a tough and competitive team. I would trade our team winning 6-1 even if I have to lose." Dabdab said. "Our team is tough and I really enjoy playing alongside them. We do not beat ourselves and for teams to beat us, they have to bring their best."
Sunday was another chance to get into the win column against a SAC opponent, and the Eagles took their opportunity and got back to .500 in conference play. The men only saw one loss on Sunday by Dabdab, but the team shined in every aspect of play including sophomore Ids Waterbolk (Bennekom, Netherlands) who moved to 3-3 on the season in singles after a 6-3, 6-3 singles sweep over Newberry.
"So nice to play at home three times in a row where we've had some nice wins and a couple tough losses. Sometimes the refs and you don't agree and you just have to bounce back," Waterbolk said. "I'm sure the guys will be ready and we'll go out there to compete again. This team wants to be in Sumpter in April at Conference and I want to keep my level of play where it is and keep playing well."
When action begins on Wednesday, the Eagles will look to make it five straight over the Lions. The last Eagles loss came back in March of 2015 as Mars Hill were the 5-4 victors from Jefferson City. Since then, C-N has gathered victories by scores of 7-2, 8-1, 5-4, and 6-1. However, the Lions still hold the overall series lead with a slim 6-5 margin of wins to losses versus the Eagles.
When the programs meet in Jefferson City, the Lions have been victorious in three of the five matchups while C-N has won the last two from the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex.
Mars Hill is 2-8 on the 2021 season so far and will come into Wednesday's matchup after being swept by Limestone and Tusculum last week by a score of 7-0 in both matches. The only SAC win for Mars Hill came on March 10 as they were victorious over Newberry by a 5-2 score.
Opening serve from Jefferson City is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start time against the Lions. Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman men's tennis at cneagles.com and on social media.
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