Sensational singles secures C-N sweep of Saints
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second straight day, it was Carson-Newman men’s tennis taking the victory from their home courts
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second straight day, it was Carson-Newman men's tennis taking the victory from their home courts of the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex Saturday. After securing a sweep over Coker to start SAC play Friday, the Eagles (7-2, 2-0 SAC) kept their momentum rolling as they would sweep for the second straight day, this time against the Limestone Saints (3-1, 0-1 SAC) by a score of 7-0.
Carson-Newman is no stranger to starting SAC play against the Saints as they have seen Limestone to start SAC play in consecutive seasons, as last February was a 4-3 win for the Eagles from Gaffney.
In last year's meeting, it was once again Gabriel Dabdab picking up wins in both number one doubles alongside Waterbolk and at number four singles.
Saturday's matinee saw the Eagles stumble in number one doubles, but still maintain enough composure to take the overall doubles point after winning two of the three matches to start action.
In number two doubles, Ids Waterbolk (Bennekom, Netherlands) and Gjorgji Jankulovski (Macedonia) started off the day with a 6-1 win to help C-N get on the right track. Very soon after, the pairing of Marnix Van Dalen (Netherlands) and Rintaro Oka (Narita, Japan) clinched the doubles point with a 6-1 result from number three doubles.
In number one doubles, the pairing of Marc Janse (Zeewolde, Netherlands) and Lars Hordijk (Dordrecht, South Holland) suffered the lone doubles loss on Saturday as they were defeated 6-4 at number one doubles.
Singles competition saw the Eagles claim all six matches, as number five would see a one-set eight game format.
C-N would go ahead 2-0 after Jankulovski won his number four singles match by a final of 6-4, 7-5. The freshman has been on a tear in his debut season as he looks to continue his hot start as SAC play ramps up.
From there, Marc Janse would make it 3-0 for the Eagles as he won a three-set thriller over Limestone's Cardona. After dropping the first set 7-5, Janse responded nicely to take the second set by a 6-0 margin. Then, in the third and final set, it was Janse securing another win for C-N as he won 6-1.
The score moved ahead 4-0 for C-N after Ids Waterbolk would take another three-set thriller. Playing Limestone's B. Bourdon, it was the Saints taking the first set 6-4. Then, Waterbolk kicked it into high gear to respond with a 6-4 second set decision. Then, much like Janse, the junior would take the overall win with a 7-6 win in the third and final set.
Marnix Van Dalen was the next Eagle to finish as he wrapped up a successful start to his SAC season at number one singles. Leaving little doubt, the freshman would go out and win 6-3, 6-2 and officially clinch C-N its second straight SAC win of 2022.
Number three singles saw Oka play to a 6-0, 7-6 result as it would move to 6-0 in favor of C-N. Finally, Lars Hordijk played the lone eight game format as he won 8-5 at number five singles to make it 7-0 as the final.
Carson-Newman takes to the road next week for a pair of matches as SAC play continues against the Newberry Wolves on Tuesday before the Eagles face one of the top NAIA programs in Tennessee Wesleyan next Friday.
Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman men's tennis at cneagles.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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