Hickory, N.C. – In one of the longest matches in recent memory, Carson-Newman (2-4, 1-1) prevailed over Lenoir-Rhyne (6-4, 1-3), 5-4, Saturday afternoon at Hickory High School in a South Atlantic Conference match.

Two players for the Bears – sophomore Shane O'Dea (Dublin, IRELAND) and junior Tomas Hons (Valasske Mezirici, CZECH REPUBLIC) – won at both singles and doubles for the Bears despite the setback.  The duo teamed at first doubles to defeat Carson-Newman's Stefano Daza and Rodolfo Schwarz by an 8-3 score.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains at home to take on North Georgia on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., while Carson-Newman stays in league play to face Coker on the road on Saturday, March 11, at 1:00 p.m.

NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Final
Carson-Newman 5, Lenoir-Rhyne 4
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Hickory, N.C. (Hickory High School)

Singles competition:
1. Joao Pedro Oliveria (C-N) def. Hamed Gandouz (LR), 7-6, 5-7, 6-3
2. Tomas Hons (LR) def. Rodolfo Schwarz (C-N), 6-3, 6-1
3. Marc Bantel (C-N) def. Alex Ayguavives (LR), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
4. Shane O'Dea (LR) def. Stefano Daza (C-N), 7-6, 6-2
5. Tales Miranda (LR) def. Gabriel Dabdab (C-N), 6-2, 6-2
6. Kevin Mendes (C-N) def. Paul Lenz (LR), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0

Doubles competition:
1. Tomas Hons/Shane O'Dea (LR) def. Stefano Daza/Rodolfo Schwarz (C-N), 8-3
2. Joao Pedro Oliveria/Gabriel Dabdab (C-N) def. Hamed Gandouz/Paul Lenz (LR), 9-8
3. Jesus Barcete-Sanz/Marc Bantel (C-N) def. Alex Crespo Sanchez/Tales Miranda (LR), 8-6

Records:  Carson-Newman (2-4, 1-1 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (6-4, 1-3 SAC)