The men’s tennis team at Lenoir-Rhyne University suffered their first defeat of conference play with a 5-2 loss to Carson-Newman. The afternoon began positively for the Bears when Nevio Dux and Connor Donley, the No. 3 doubles team, secured a 6-4 victory in their match. However, the Eagles managed to win the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches, ultimately earning the doubles point.
Despite initially falling behind 2-0, LR managed to get on the scoreboard with Rufus Plane winning a three-set match at No. 4 singles. Plane, a sophomore from Cardiff, Wales, took the first set 6-2, but faced a setback when Paul Gayk of the Eagles won the second set 6-4. Fortunately, Plane rallied and secured a 6-4 victory in the third set.
Following Plane’s win, Carson-Newman won two consecutive matches, reaching the critical fourth point. However, the Bears showed resilience as Vadym Rogynskyi, the reigning SAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, clinched the No. 3 singles match with a 6-2, 7-6 victory.
Looking ahead, the Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Tennis Team will have a quick turnaround in the schedule with a match against Emory & Henry in Bristol, Tenn. on Friday, March 1.
It is always disappointing to experience a loss, but the team is certain to use this as a learning experience and come back stronger in the next match. With determination and hard work, the Bears aim to make a strong comeback and showcase their skills and talent on the court.
As the season progresses, the team remains focused on their goal of delivering strong performances and achieving success in the matches to come. Despite the setback, the Bears are determined to bounce back and showcase their competitive spirit and skill in the upcoming games.