HARROGATE, Tenn. – Following a postponement yesterday afternoon, No. 49 Carson-Newman (9-5, 7-2 SAC) did not skip a beat, defeating in-state rival No. 29 Tusculum (14-5, 7-2 SAC) for the first time since 2006, 4-2.
The Eagles last defeated Tusculum in the SAC Tournament of the 2006 season, and the last regular season win came in 2000.
"It was a very exciting match to watch," head coach Jon Parker said. "Everyone played well and supported each other in every way."
Dropping the doubles point, the Eagles needed to rely on a strong performance in singles, and they got exactly that. The Eagles clinched points in the top four singles spots, as Marnix Van Dalen, Marc Janse, Gjorgji Jankulovski, and Lars Hordijk earned wins in their respective positions. Despite losing the point in No. 5 singles, the wins were enough to give C-N the win over its rival.
SINGLES RESULTS
No. 1: Marnix Van Dalen (C-N) def. Nemanja Subanovic (TU), 6-3/6-3
No. 2: Marc Janse (C-N) def. Anton Krondell (TU), 6-3/2-6/6-2
No. 3: Gjorgji Jankulovski (C-N) def. William Gee (TU), 6-3/6-3
No. 4: Lars Hordijk (C-N) def. Ivan Ivars (TU), 6-0/6-2
No. 5: Rens Verhaar (TU) def. Paul Gayk (C-N), 6-3/6-4
No. 6: Matthew Saunders (C-N) def. Tijn Van Gorkom (TU), 8-7
In doubles play, the Pioneers secured the early point with wins in No. 2 and 3 doubles, earning the early advantage. The duo of Marc Janse and Yehor Opanasenko came within two games in the No. 2 slot before Tusculum took care of business in the No. 3 to secure the point.
DOUBLES RESULTS
No. 1: M. Van Dalen/L. Hordijk (C-N) vs. W. Gee/A. Krondell (TU), DNF
No. 2: N. Subanovic/M. Ray (TU) def. M. Janse/Y. Opanasenko (C-N), 6-4
No. 3: R. Verhaar/T. Van Gorkom (TU) def. G. Jankulovski/P. Gayk (C-N), 6-1
With the win, the Eagles enter third place in the South Atlantic Conference standings. C-N will take a day off before squaring off with Lincoln Memorial on Thursday in Harrogate, Tennessee.
