Video: Jim Frederick Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second time in the last three matches, Carson-Newman (6-9, 4-5 SAC) faced off against a ranked SAC opponent. Saturday saw the Eagles take on the #16 Queens (N.C.) Royals who moved to 13-2 (11-1 SAC) with a 6-1 team victory over C-N.
"Our men have supported the women and vice versa. This is a tight-knit team and this season has made us closer together," head coach Jim Frederick said. "Big takeaway from today is seeing our women's and men's team come together at the end to support Abby in her big match-clinching win."
Sophomore Marc Janse (Zeewolde, Netherlands) has been on a fiery streak to start his 2021 season, and Saturday was just another log on the ever-flaming fire. Janse took home a 7-5, 4-6, 10-8 victory from number two singles to move himself to 9-0 in SAC singles action. After Saturday, Janse sits at 11-4 overall in singles action, which is second-most in a single season for any Eagle. He currently sits one match away from tying Jonathan Allen's mark of 12-6 in 2013 as Janse will have three more matches to improve his placement. The win also gives Janse a 0.773 winning percentage in singles, which is tied for the lead in C-N history.
"This is amazing for him. I'm not sure if this has ever happened, but if it happens, it does not happen much," head coach Jim Frederick said. "He's got three more matches so we'll see what happens, but he's having an amazing conference year."
Janse started his day off with doubles action alongside junior Rintaro Oka (Narita, Japan), but the duo fell 5-7 in the number two slot which moves them to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in SAC play as a pair.
The Eagles were only able to garner a single victory in all three doubles matches as grad student Gabriel Dabdab (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and sophomore Ids Waterbolk (Bennekom, Netherlands) started the day off with a 7-6 decision falling in their favor. As the duo won, they move to 5-4 in conference play and hold a 7-8 record overall when playing together.
Once singles action began, it was all in favor of Queens as they only had one singles match result end in three sets. Dabdab, playing in the number four singles slot, battled point-for-point with his opponent, but could not build enough points as he fell 1-6, 6-3, 8-11. The win moves Dabdab to 8-7 overall in 2021 with a record against SAC foes of 5-4.
Oka was in his normal number one singles position on Saturday and was defeated 5-7, 4-6 by his Queens opponent. Oka is now 5-10 on the year and 3-6 against the SAC. Meanwhile, Waterbolk saw his match only go two sets as his opponent came out swinging and left the court with the 6-1, 6-4 victory. This pushes the Netherlands native to a 7-8 overall record and one shy of .500 in the SAC as he is now 4-5 in 2021.
The other C-N singles matches came from grad student Julian Froehlich (Kobenz, Austria) who alongside Dabdab were honored with Senior Day festivities after the match. Froehlich was playing from the number five spot where he saw close set results but the overall 6-4, 6-1 decision was claimed by Queens. Finally, sophomore Joshua Ott (Knoxville, Tenn.) continued his season from the number six singles matchup. He only played one set against the Royals, as he and his opponent battled to 8-4 result in favor of Queens. Ott is now 2-7 against the SAC and will look to find win number three next Tuesday.
The Eagles will take to the home courts once again on Tuesday as the UVA Wise Highland Cavaliers come to town for a 3:00 p.m. first serve. Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman men's tennis at cneagles.com and via all social media accounts.
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