FORT WAYNE, Ind. – For the first time in program history, Carson-Newman opened its season with a victory, taking down Park 4-1 on Friday evening at the Beach Bash.
The Eagles (1-0) had not seen a season-opening win since the program began in 2015 until defeating Park (1-4), but they now sit at 2-8 on the first day of action for each season in that span. The victory marks the first win C-N has seen on the opening day of the season since March 4, 2016 when the Eagles defeated Missouri Baptist, 4-1, in their second match at the Stetson Sand Tournament.
Carson-Newman picked up two wins in straight-set fashion in the match.
"Composure and mental focus were the two things that held this team together today," Carson-Newman Interim Beach Coach Lucy Pennington-Russell said. "When you ask them to give all they got and they not only play with skill but with heart, it's fun and incredible to see."
C-N's top flight of Summer Coulter (El Paso, Texas) and Megan Oldenburger (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) defeated Paula Louro and Amanda Santos in straight sets, 21-17 and 21-19.
Playing at the No. 2, Lindsey Geurin (Clearwater Beach, Fla.) and Maddison Bishop (Olathe, Kan.) faced a three-set battle against Lorrayne Silva and Amanda Mendes. The Pirates' duo took the first set, 21-16, but C-N's crew bounced back with 21-16 and 15-11 frames to close the match.
Abby Struewing (Lebanon, Ohio) and Mia Toribio (Spring, Texas) saw the largest single-set win for the Eagles on Friday at the fourth flight. They topped Melissa Knaut and Taryn Bloomfield by a steep 21-8 margin in the first set before closing up shop with a 21-17 second set.
Morgan Siwiec (Toms River, N.J.) and Joy Rhodes (Youngsville, N.C.) teamed up at the No. 4 spot against Celina Monterio and Isabella Riberio. The Park pair won the first set, 21-16, before the Orange and Blue side closed out back-to-back wins, 21-17 and 15-10.
The only pair to fall for C-N on the day came in the fifth flight. Kelly Hughes (Woodbridge, Va.) and Hayden Barton (Hixson, Tenn.) picked up a 21-14 win in the opening set but Park's Tijana Sisic and Alissa Flint forced a third set after a domination 21-7 performance, ultimately winning with a 15-8 decision-maker in the final frame.
"I think keeping the same shots and pressuring the saves will be our best shot tomorrow," Pennington-Russell said. "Playing at a consistent level with the same energy is something we will focus on tomorrow, as well."
Carson-Newman faces two more duels tomorrow in the final day of the Beach Bash. It takes on hosting Principia at 9:30 a.m. followed by Stevenson at 3:30 p.m.
