JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Tennis Team dropped its first match of conference play with a 5-2 defeat to Carson-Newman.
The afternoon got off to a good start for the Bears as the No. 3 doubles team of Nevio Dux and Connor Donley won their match, 6-4. However, after two competitive matches at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, the Eagles pulled out both results to garner the doubles point.
While falling into an early 2-0 deficit, LR got on the board with Rufus Plane pulling out a three-set victory at No. 4 singles.
The sophomore from Cardiff, Wales took the opening set, 6-2, before the Eagles' Paul Gayk responded with a 6-4 second-set victory. Fortunately for the Bears, Plane bounced back with a 6-4 third set result.
Following Plane's victory, Carson-Newman won two consecutive matches to earn the critical fourth point. That did not slow down the Bears though as reigning SAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week Vadym Rogynskyi took the No. 3 singles match with a 6-2, 7-6 victory.
UP NEXT: The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Tennis Team will have a quick turnaround in the schedule as the Bears will face Emory & Henry in Bristol, Tenn. on Friday, March 1.
