Reinhardt Shines on the Court at NCAA DII Young Harris
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Reinhardt tennis earned a sweep on Thursday at NCAA Division II Young Harris (Ga.), as the fifth-ranked men's team swept the Mountain Lions, 7-0, and the women's squad slid by its hosts, 4-3.
The Eagle men (1-0) – who remained No. 5 in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Wednesday – got the season underway with an impressive blanking of Young Harris. On the women's side (1-1), Reinhardt rebounded from a season-opening loss at the hands of NCAA Division II Georgia Southwestern State, 5-2, this past Sunday.
The hometown team opened competition at the Bob & Gayle Nichols Tennis Complex with a 3-0 decision in men's doubles, as the duo of Pau Pujadas and Caio Lopes got the first win of the season with a 6-2 victory, followed by No. 2 doubles (Federico Gomez and Jordi Puig Molina; 6-4) before the top team of Martin Mendoza and Sam Alexander won with a 6-3 final.
In singles action, Alexander breezed to a 2-0 day with a 6-1, 6-3 outing. Not too long after that, another point went on the board for the Eagles after Gomez won third singles with a 6-1, 6-3. Masumi Komada put his group on the doorstep of triumph with his own 6-3, 6-2 decision, followed by Puig Molina also adding another tally with 6-3, 7-5.
The women's team overcame an early deficit after falling behind, 2-1, during doubles play. Reinhardt grabbed a pair of wins by forfeit in singles play to jump ahead, 3-2, before the match got even tighter. The highlight of the day came at the third slot of singles, where Sydney Dattilo posted a positive outcome with a 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 win.
Friday's matchup at Martin Methodist (Tenn.) has been postponed due to cold weather, so it's on to Appalachian Athletic Conference play Sunday afternoon at SCAD-Atlanta (Ga.) for both teams.
Opening serve is set for Noon.
To view the entire Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25, please click here.
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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Tennis, please click here, and Reinhardt Women's Tennis here.