JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman men's tennis returns to the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex for a meeting with 30th-ranked Tusculum (5-4) on Wednesday, Mar. 15th, before traveling to Anderson, S.C. for a matchup with 20th-ranked Anderson University (7-0) on Saturday, Mar. 18th.
The Eagles have not played an ITA NCAA D-II ranked opponent since their 6-1 loss to #13 Lander on Feb. 13th. The matches mark Carson-Newman's fourth and fifth conference competitions this season. The Eagles are 3-0 in conference play.
The Eagles began the season with a 6-1 win over #25 Belmont Abbey. They fell into a four-game losing streak, including competitions against a pair of top-15 ranked opponents. The Eagles picked up their final win in February after a meeting with Union (Ky.) before losing to the Lee Flames.
The Eagles began conference play on Mar. 4th with a 6-1 victory over Catawba. The Eagles defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 7-0 before traveling to Gaffney, S.C., to take down Limestone 6-1.
The Eagles only won a single doubles point in their first five contests. Head coach Felipe Charry adjusted the doubles lineup, pairing Gjorgji Jankulovski with Ids Waterbolk and Marnix Van Dalen with Lars Hordijk. The Eagles have won the doubles point in the last five games and won four out of the five matches. Jankulovski/Waterbolk are 5-0 as a pair, and Van Dalen/Hordijk are 4-0.
Van Dalen, Jankulovski, and Marc Janse have led the Eagles in singles wins for most of the season. Each player has a record of 7-3. Janse has seen most of his work in the one spot where he has a 5-2 record. Van Dalen is 6-1 in the two spot, and Jankulovski is 5-1 in the three.
Tusculum University began the season with a 6-1 victory over Milligan. The Pioneers went on to defeat North Greenville 7-0. On Feb. 8th, the Pioneers hosted the Lee Flames but lost 5-2. They took on #20 Charleston (W.V.) and won 4-3. The Pioneers went on a two-game losing streak featuring Young Harris and #11 North Georgia before winning 6-1 at Mars Hill. They close out Feb. With a 6-1 win over Bluefield St. Tusculum lost to #31 Flagler 6-1 in their most recent action on Mar. 9th.
Tusculum features the 61st player on the ITA's NCAA D-II Singles National Ranking, Rhodri Atkinson. Atkinson is 7-2 in singles play this year, primarily as Tusculum's one player. They do not have any ranked doubles players.
Tusculum was ranked #43 when the Eagles played them last season. The Pioneers were able to take down #27 Carson-Newman in a tightly contested 4-3 match. Van Dalen, Janse, and Hordijk were the players that earned a point for the Eagles.
#20 Anderson began the year with a 7-0 victory over USC Sumter. The Trojans defeated Emmanual (Ga.) 4-0 and North Greenville 7-0. Anderson began Feb. With a 5-2 win over Converse. They started conference play with a 7-0 victory over Emory & Henry before traveling to defeat Newberry 4-3. They took on Lincoln Memorial University in their most recent action, winning 6-1. Anderson University does not feature a singles or doubles ranking despite their perfect start to the season.
Anderson was ranked #27 in their last meeting with the Eagles. The Trojans were able to take down #23 Carson-Newman in a 4-3 match. Van Dalen, Janse, and Jankulovski were the Eagles that earned a point.
Carson-Newman's matchup with Tusculum begins at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex in Jefferson City. Their meeting with Anderson will begin at 1:00 P.M. at Anderson on Saturday.
For more information on Carson-Newman's men's tennis, visit CNEagles.com or follow Carson-Newman athletics on social media.
