Tight 4-3 win over Young Harris gets women's tennis out to a 3-1 start
Carson-Newman Women’s Tennis capped off a busy weekend with a nailbiter, edging out Young Harris 4-3 at the LMU Tennis Facility to improve to 3-1 on the season and go undefeated on the weekend.
HARROGATE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Women's Tennis capped off a busy weekend with a nailbiter, edging out Young Harris 4-3 at the LMU Tennis Facility to improve to 3-1 on the season.
It was the final match of a three-game set for the Eagles this weekend, where C-N went undefeated over the three days.
"Overall, I'm happy we got the win and did what was necessary to go 3-0 this weekend, which is what our goal was at the beginning of the week," said Nate Gangelhoff. "But we lost focus, energy, and we dipped in level and made the match much closer than it needed to be. We have a lot of work to do for what's ahead."
The Eagles set the tone early by clinching the crucial doubles point. It was Leah McBride and Mar Fraile's second doubles team that played lights out, delivering a 6-0 shutout. Hala Awad and Kerrigan Spiers sealed the point at third doubles, taking a 6-4 decision to give C-N the 1-0 advantage.
Singles play saw a tug-of-war play out, but the Eagles' depth proved to be the difference. Hala Awad led the charge at the top of the lineup, cruising to a 6-2, 6-4 victory at first singles.
Maria del Mar Sarda was equally impressive at the No. 3 spot. She made quick work of her opponent, grabbing a 6-2, 6-1 win to keep the pressure on the Mountain Lions.
With the match tight, it was Abinaya Sweeton who came up huge at fifth singles. After dropping the first set 4-6, Sweeton locked in and stormed back to take the second set 6-2. She carried that momentum into the decider, closing out the match 6-3 to help secure the team victory.
The Lady Eagles now get a week to recover before returning to the courts on Saturday, Feb. 21, to face Middle Georgia State at home.
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