FILE: Results (PDF)
VIDEO: Nathan Gangelhoff Interview
VIDEO: Matthew Saunders Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Men's Tennis has won back-to-back contests to improve to 4-1 in conference play with a sweep of visiting Coker.
Carson-Newman (6-3, 4-1 South Atlantic Conference) dismantled Coker (4-10, 2-6 SAC) with a 4-0 sweep on Saturday afternoon. After tight battles in doubles, the Eagles were able to stretch their legs in singles after Marnix Van Dalen won via opponent retirement, and Leonard Baecker displayed dominance in a 6-2, 6-0 decision.
"We really emphasize being able to control doubles," Carson-Newman Men's Tennis head coach Nathan Gangelhoff said. "That came through for us today, we had a very hot start to doubles."
Carson-Newman almost made it 5-0 but the what-would-have-been match point from Matthew Saunders was called off after the clinching point delivered by Paul Gayk.
Although Saunders did not get credited with the winning decision in singles, he was rewarded and named the Food City Player of the Match.
"I was proud of singles, it was very close in the end," Saunders said. "We're in the thick of the season right now, and the more matches we're having, the more we're able to really progress."
The highlight of singles came from the No. 6 flight as Leonard Baecker took down his opponent by a combined score of 12-2. Marnix Van Dalen is the first Eagle to win via retirement this season.
SINGLES RESULTS
No. 1: Marnix Van Dalen (C-N) def. Tom Lamers (COKER) 6-2, 2-0, retired
No. 2: Gjorgji Jankulovski (C-N) vs. Sharif Vossen (COKER) 6-0, 3-6, 3-2, unfinished
No. 3: Paul Gayk (C-N) def. Samuel Winter (COKER) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
No. 4: Louis Keenan (C-N) vs. Andy Huynh (COKER) 7-5, 3-3, unfinished
No. 5: Matthew Saunders (C-N) vs. Benedikt Wittmann (COKER) 7-5, 5-1, unfinished
No. 6: Leonard Baecker (C-N) def. Joao Pugliese (COKER) 6-2, 6-0
Carson-Newman took a hard-fought doubles point, clinching the point in a 7-5 win on Court No. 3.
DOUBLES RESULTS
No. 1: Gjorgji Jankulovski/Louis Keenan (C-N) def. Tom Lamers/Andy Huynh (COKER) 6-4
No. 2: Marnix Van Dalen/Paul Gayk (C-N) vs. Samuel Winter/Benedikt Wittmann (COKER) 5-5, unfinished
No. 3: Matthew Saunders/Leonard Baecker (C-N) def. Gijs Van Asdonck/Joao Pugliese (COKER) 7-5
Carson-Newman finishes up its four-match homestand on Tuesday, March 25, for a conference battle against Emory & Henry at 2 p.m. at the Charles A. "Buddy" Catlett Tennis Complex. As always, admission is free.
To keep up to date with Carson-Newman Men's Tennis follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook on Carson-Newman Athletics. You can also log online to cneagles.com for team schedules, rosters, news, and more.
