Red-hot Eagles overcome LMU for first time since 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time since 2009, the no. 24 ranked Carson-Newman men’s tennis (10-3, 4-0 SAC) can claim fame
Video: Ids Waterbolk interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time since 2009, the no. 24 ranked Carson-Newman men's tennis (10-3, 4-0 SAC) can claim fame to beating their east Tennessee rival, the no. 47 ranked LMU Railsplitters. As the Eagles had dropped 13 straight matches, Tuesday was a different story as C-N came out on top 7-0 from their home courts of the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex. This is C-N's first win over LMU since April 3, 2009, when it was the Eagles winning 5-4 from Mossy Creek.
With the win, C-N also clinches double digit victories and sees back-to-back seasons with at least four SAC wins for the first time since the 2009 season as well.
Tuesday saw doubles action take to the courts of the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex first as C-N would hold the early advantage after taking all three matches and the 1-0 advantage.
For the third straight match, in number two doubles, the pairing of Marc Janse (Zeewolde, Netherlands) and Lars Hordijk (Dordrecht, South Holland) were near perfect as they came out on top with a 6-1 result, moving C-N one step closer to clinching doubles.
Then, number one doubles saw the birthday boy, Ids Waterbolk (Bennekom, Netherlands), and Gjorgji Jankulovski (Macedonia) clinch the point. The duo have gone 11-1 in 2022 prior to Tuesday, as they notched another win with a 6-3 victory.
"Yeah, I've been here for three years now and it hurt to see us lose the last two seasons by a 4-3 score. We knew we could come out on top if we played our best, which is something I think not only myself but the team did today," junior Ids Waterbolk said.
Finally, in number three doubles, Marnix Van Dalen (Netherlands) and Rintaro Oka wrapped up the doubles sweep for C-N as they dominated their way to a 6-2 victory.
Singles competition saw the Eagles claim all six matches, as no match would go longer than the two-set minimum. Since both men's and women's program competed at the same time, the teams started off singles with matches in number two, four, and six singles before moving onto number one, three, and five position.
As the lead grew to 2-0 in favor of C-N, it was Marc Janse claiming the win at number two singles by scores of 6-0, 6-3. Yet again, Janse is one of the team leaders in wins as he now sits with 11 for the 2022 spring season.
From there, the birthday boy in Waterbolk made sure to play a clean match at number six singles. After winning the first set 6-2, the Netherlands native left no doubt and handled business by winning the second set with a 6-1 final.
"I think I played pretty clean in my match," Waterbolk said. "It means a lot to be apart of this program and see the support we have for each other during every point."
The Eagles would secure the overall win after freshman Gjorgji Jankulovski swept his number four singles match. This is the second straight home match for C-N which has seen the freshman become the match clincher after he did so against DI foe, Austin Peay, last Thursday. Tuesday saw the Macedonia native handle his business with scores of 7-5, 6-2.
Then, Rintaro Oka made short work of his number three singles match as he won 6-1, 6-3 and pushed C-N ahead 5-0. Shortly after, no. 33 ranked singles player, Marnix Van Dalen, shined bright as he would come out on top 6-2, 6-3 and secure a 6-0 lead for the Eagles.
Lars Hordijk was the last Eagle to complete action on Tuesday as he looked to close out the sweep for C-N from number five singles. The man of the hour would play an eight-game superset as he pulled out an 8-7 (4) victory and secured C-N's sweep of the visiting Railsplitters.
"Everyone is excited and ready to continue conference play. We will celebrate and enjoy this win tonight and tomorrow before we turn our focus to Saturday's match with L-R," Waterbolk said. "Every match from now on is a big win and Saturday should be a meeting of two nationally-ranked programs so we need to be at our best like we were today."
The Eagles will look to continue their hot streak in SAC play as they hit the road for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the no. 41 ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Bears from Hickory. First serve is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. between the two programs.
Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman men's tennis via cneagles.com and on all social media accounts.
