RICHMOND, Ky. – Appalachian State University men's tennis (5-2) freshman
Blake Carter helped lift the Mountaineers to a thrilling 4-3 victory against Eastern Kentucky (2-7) on Saturday afternoon at the Greg Adams Tennis Center.
With the match tied 3-3 and facing a one-set deficit, Carter captured the final two frames sensationally, 6-4, 6-4, over Guillem Sanchis. The freshman's clutch triumph improved his mark to 4-0 in singles play this season.
Two of Appalachian's freshman in
Ben Webster and Carter came up with the two most significant wins in the match. Along with Carter's three-set victory, Ben claimed a timely three-set win in singles that gave App a 3-2 edge.
Appalachian started the day claiming the doubles point with two out of three matches.
Ben Webster and
Alex Pavkovich defeated Gabriel Ruiz/Ed Cabral, 6-1.
Scott Webster and
Milo Bargeron stayed undefeated and gave the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead by downing Ramon Van Flymen/Parth Aggarwal, 6-2.
The top two duos for App is a combined 10-1 this season.
It was a tight-knit affair in singles competition, as three of the six matches went to three sets.
Pavkovich got back to his winning ways in singles action when he gave App a 2-0 lead by downing Carlos Dodero in a 6-4, 6-3 win as the No. 4 in the lineup. EKU got on the board when Scott fell to Van Flymen, 6-3, 6-2.
The Colonels tied things up, 2-2, when Bargeron suffered a 6-2, 6-3 decision at the No. 2 spot to Aggarwal. Ben came through when the Mountaineers needed him the most as he toppled Ruiz in three sets. The freshman faced a one-set deficit before capturing the final two frames and the win to push App to a 3-2 edge.
Looking to clinch for App,
Alex Brea also started off down a frame before forcing a tying period but fell to Nic Castaldo.
App is off to a strong start as the 5-2 record is as a better pace than last season, where the Black and Gold started 3-4 in its first seven contests. Appalachian wouldn't grab its fifth win until Feb. 26.
The Mountaineers aim to finish the weekend at 2-0 tomorrow when they face the Musketeers of Xavier.
