Perez shines, but Eagles lose to Tennessee Wesleyan 6-3

Juan Sebastian Perez (Ecuador) accounted for Carson-Newman wins at no. 1 singles and no. 1 doubles, but his efforts weren’t enough as the Eagles (2-7) dropped a 6-3 match to Tennessee Wesleyan (5-4) Friday afternoon at the Carson-Newman Tennis Complex.

Perez beat Alex Laguza 6-0, 6-0 in singles after partnering with Austin Mackay (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) for an 8-3 win over the Bulldogs’ Laguza and Brett Wade at no. 1 doubles.

Perez is now 4-4 for the year at the top singles spot.

Tenn. Wesleyan took the double point following an 8-5 win at no. 2 doubles by David Escobosa and Rodney Pineros over Paul Birdsong (Woodstock, Ga.) and Jonathan Allen (Lenoir City, Tenn.). Gad Azulay and Francisco Gallardo clinched the point with an 8-4 victory over Dalton Moore (Gate City, Va.) and Daniel Douglas (Knoxville, Tenn.) at no. 3 doubles.

The Eagles looked to be making up ground in singles when Mackay pushed Gallardo to three sets at no. 3 singles, but ultimately succumbed 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

Allen breathed life into the Eagles chances when he knocked down Azulay at no. 4 singles 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, but Pineros snatched a 7-6 (10-2), 4-6, 6-2 win from Moore to clinch the win for the Bulldogs.

The Eagles return home Saturday for an 11 a.m. match with Newberry.