HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Women’s Tennis team extended its winning streak to three matches, overcoming a determined Young Harris squad with a narrow 4-3 victory at the LMU Tennis Facility on .
The win improves the Eagles’ record to 3-1 on the season, capping off a successful weekend of competition. Carson-Newman secured victories over Montreat and King earlier in the weekend, demonstrating a consistent level of play that head coach Nate Gangelhoff believes needs refinement despite the positive results.
“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,” Gangelhoff stated. “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 established early control by winning the doubles point, a crucial advantage in collegiate tennis. The duo of Leah McBride and Mar Fraile dominated their opponents, securing a decisive 6-0 shutout at the second doubles position. The point was clinched by Hala Awad and Kerrigan Spiers, who prevailed 6-4 at third doubles, giving Carson-Newman a 1-0 lead.
As the match transitioned to singles play, the competition intensified. Hala Awad continued her strong form, delivering a commanding performance at the No. 1 singles slot. She secured a 6-2, 6-4 victory, extending the Eagles’ lead. Maria del Mar Sarda mirrored Awad’s dominance at the No. 3 position, swiftly defeating her opponent with a 6-2, 6-1 scoreline.
With the match hanging in the balance, Abinaya Sweeton proved to be the difference-maker at fifth singles. Facing a resilient opponent, Sweeton initially dropped the first set 4-6. However, she demonstrated remarkable composure and determination, rallying to win the second set 6-2. She carried this momentum into the decisive third set, ultimately securing the match with a 6-3 victory, sealing the team triumph for Carson-Newman.
The victory over Young Harris marks the Eagles’ third consecutive win, building on earlier successes against Montreat and King. According to supplementary research, Carson-Newman has a historical advantage over Young Harris, with three wins in the last three years, though the overall series record stands at 3-6 in favor of Young Harris. This weekend’s performance signals a positive trend for the Eagles, who are looking to build on their recent successes.
The team’s recent schedule included a home slate at the Knoxville Racquet Club, where they faced Montreat and King before traveling to Harrogate for the neutral-site match against Young Harris. Prior to this weekend, Carson-Newman suffered a 2-5 loss to the University of the Cumberlands, highlighting the competitive nature of their schedule.
Looking ahead, the Lady Eagles will enjoy a week of rest and preparation before returning to action on , when they host Middle Georgia State. This upcoming match provides an opportunity for the team to continue their winning momentum and further refine their performance under Coach Gangelhoff’s guidance.
Fans can follow the Carson-Newman Women’s Tennis team for updates on social media @cneagles or visit cneagles.com for comprehensive coverage of the team’s progress throughout the season.
