Video: Jim Frederick Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time when playing at home, Carson-Newman (9-6, 5-4 SAC) claimed victory over the Queens (N.C.) Royals (10-2, 9-1 SAC) on Saturday to hand the Royals their second loss in 2021. Senior Abby Reis (Des Moines, Iowa) played hero for C-N as she claimed a 6-3, 6-4 decision at number six singles to claim the match and a 4-3 Eagles win.
"We were all getting a little nervous and I think she was too," head coach Jim Frederick said. "This is a game where point by point by point is important and she came through for us and knew how important every point was."
Reis has solemnly seen singles action, but when she has been in action, she has notched two critical victories for C-N from the number six singles. This was her second win on the year and marks her first 2021 victory since Feb. 13 when she was in action against Belmont Abbey. Reis was huge for C-N on Saturday who fought to claim the win after suffering losses in two of the three doubles matches before seeing two Eagles fall in singles. The Eagles then clawed themselves back into the win, with Reis being the ultimate clincher to hand C-N a BIG win over the #18 team in the nation.
"Queens is one of the best in our conference. We came into today with a win each point mindset," Reis said. "My heart was racing and I knew I had to keep the ball in play and my teammates helped push me to victory. To get this victory today, we're happy and we're really thankful for having the match today."
Junior Ana Carla Resende (Mina Gerais, Brazil) continued her 2021 success with another victory at number one singles with a decision of 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 falling her way over her Royals opponent. This marks Resende's 31st singles victory as an Eagle and moves her to an overall record of 31-10, which is the fifth highest win total in C-N history. This also moves Resende into the team lead with a singles record of 11-4 for 2021.
Sophomore Natasha Forrest (Jersey, United Kingdom) was the only Eagle on Saturday to see two victories (singles and doubles) in her possession. After teaming with senior Hannah Price (Knoxville, Tenn.) and claiming the lone doubles win for C-N with a 7-6 win in number two doubles, Forrest continued her success in singles. Forrest is now 8-6 on the year when playing singles after claiming a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory from number four singles.
With their win in doubles, Price and Forrest are now tied for third-highest doubles win total in a single season with 13. The duo, 13-2 overall, is two away from the program single-season record and will look to build up their already present success when the Eagles return to action.
Freshman Julia Speiser was the fourth Eagle to claim a win on Saturday in singles. In her first year as an Eagle, Speiser has been consistent and seen most matches go the whole three sets. Saturday was not one of those times, as she easily swept her Royals opposition to claim a 6-4, 6-4 decision and move to 7-7 overall in 2021. Speiser and freshman Summer Reeves (Maidstone, Kent, England) were not able to claim victory in number three doubles action, but the duo still sit as 9-5 in 2021 to start their Eagles careers.
"We've been close and to be able to breakthrough against a team like this, it just means a lot to these girls and this program. When you're building a program like we are, you have to be competitive in these times against teams like the one we faced today and I couldn't be prouder of the effort by our girls," Frederick said. "I think what made today even more special is the support of both the guys and girls at the end. This is a close-knit group and we've become closer this season."
Despite the massive C-N win, there were a couple missteps along the way. Price was in action from number two singles for the first time this season as she was unable to claim another victory as her opponent won 6-0, 6-7, 6-3. This was Price's fifth singles loss as she moves to 10-5 in 2021 and is still one away from a new single-season career high win in singles. Reeves was in the number three singles position on Saturday where she was handed a 6-4, 6-1 defeat, moving to 8-7 in 2021 singles.
The Eagles will return to the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex for Senior Day on Tuesday as the UVA Wise Highland Cavaliers pay Mossy Creek a visit. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. from Jefferson City between the Eagles and Cavaliers.
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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