Eagles Impress on Day One of ITA Fall Championships

Eagles Impress on Day One of ITA Fall Championships

SUMTER, S.C. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team compiled a handful of impressive performances on day one of the ITA Fall Championships, building considerable momentum for day two.

In the round of 128, two Eagles competed while the other two earned byes. Matthew Saunders fell in two hard-fought sets, while Paul Gayk won straight sets. Marnix Van Dalen and Gjorgji Jankulovski, both seeded in the event, had a bye.

Singles Results: Round of 128

Vadym Rogynski (L-R) def. Matthew Saunders (C-N), 6-3/6-2

(17) Gjorgji Jankulovski (C-N) BYE

Paul Gayk (C-N) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU), 6-4/6-1

(9) Marnix Van Dalen (C-N) BYE

After a bye, Van Dalen and Jankulovski lived up to their seeding, advancing to the round of 64. Despite losing the first set, Jankulovski bounced back to win the next two and advance to the next round. Van Dalen dominated, winning in straight sets to advance to the round of 32 on Sunday. After a win in the first round, Paul Gayk fell in straight sets against Wingate's seeded Federico Spinetta.

Singles Results: Round of 64

(17) Gjorgji Jankulovski (C-N) def. Hannes Tylehad (BC), 3-6/7-6(7-2)/6-4

(9) Marnix Van Dalen (C-N) def. Noe Villen (GCSU), 6-1/6-0

(17) Federico Spinetta (WU) def. Paul Gayk (C-N), 6-0/6-3

In the doubles round of 64, C-N earned an impressive win over a SAC pairing in Lenoir-Rhyne's Nevio Dux and Connor Donley, outlasting the Bears' duo in the tiebreaker. 

Doubles Results: Round of 64

Gayk/Van Dalen (C-N) def. Dux/Donley (L-R), 9-8(8-6)

With a handful of impressive results, C-N will look to make a deeper push in the ITA Fall Championships on Sunday.