WINGATE, N.C. – Carson-Newman (7-6, 3-4 SAC) knew how tough their Saturday matchup would be against #15 Wingate, and the result proved it as Wingate (10-1, 7-0 SAC) picked up the 6-1 result to keep their SAC record perfect.
Unlike their male counterparts, Carson-Newman came out of the gates fighting and were able to claim the doubles point to take an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Natasha Forrest (Jersey, United Kingdom) and senior Hannah Price (Knoxville, Tenn.) at number two doubles led the way for C-N. The pair have been consistently at number two doubles and, after Saturday, hold a 11-2 record. When facing off against SAC opponents, Forrest and Price suffered their first SAC loss on Saturday but still lead the team with a 6-1 conference record.
The other doubles pair which saw their day start off successfully was freshman Summer Reeves (Maidstone, Kent, England) and Julia Speiser who took home a 6-2 decision. With this result, the pair move to 4-3 in SAC and 8-4 overall.
Meanwhile, junior Ana Carla Resende (Minas Grecias, Brazil) was the only Eagle to see her singles action go to three sets. Her Wingate opponent came away with the win after collecting scores of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 to give Resende her first SAC loss on the season and fourth overall. Resende is now 29-10 all-time as an Eagle and is tied with Price atop the team lead in singles as both are 9-4 in 2021.
Other singles results included freshman Violetta Khisamova (Yaroslavl, Russia) fall 2-6, 0-6 in number two singles, Price falling 2-6, 2-6 at number three singles, Reeves battling but falling 4-6, 2-6 at number four singles, Forrest being defeated 4-6, 1-6 from number five singles, and Speiser seeing her Bulldogs opponent claim a clean sweep with both sets ending 6-0.
After Saturday, Wingate has not lost to C-N since 2010 and are 12-0 all-time during this span. The closest result for C-N from Wingate still stands from the 2013 matchup when the Eagles lost 6-3. However, this was the first time in three trips to the Tar Heel State against the Bulldogs in which C-N was not shut out altogether.
Carson-Newman will return to action for a midweek contest against the Tusculum Pioneers on Wednesday from Greeneville. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday between the Pioneers and Eagles. Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman women's tennis at cneagles.com and via all social media accounts.
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