ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team defeated the Catawba (N.C.) Chiefs 4-3 at the Bullard Courts on Tuesday afternoon, adding to their three-match win streak.
The Tritons (3-4) beat the Chiefs (4-6) after taking the doubles point as well as three of the six singles matches.Â
The Tritons started the day strong, clinching the doubles point. Esteve Augusti and Batu Ataseven defeated Marcos Castares and Taketoshi Nanao 6-4 in the No. 1 draw. Christian Kearns and Jon William Karlstad took their match in the threes slot, 6-3, to secure the doubles point for the second time this season.Â
Augusti picked up a big win in the No. 1 draw. He took the first set 6-3 before falling 6-1 in set two. He took the third set 10-3 to add another point to the Triton tally. Ataseven picked up a straight-set wins 6-3, 6-3 in the No. 2 spot against Kane Elkin.Â
Kearns clinched the match for the Tritons in the No. 5 position, defeating Catawba's Paul Dekester in three sets. After shutting out Dekester in set one 6-0, Kearns fell behind in set two 6-3. The third set was a tiebreak battle, with Kearns taking the favor 10-8.Â
The Tritons are back in action tomorrow at the Bullard Courts for another non-conference matchup against Walsh University (Ohio), with first serve at 3:00 PM.Â
Singles competitionÂ
1. Esteve Agusti (ECM) def. Marcos Castares (CAT) 6-3, 1-6, 10-3
2. Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Kane Elkin (CAT) 6-3, 6-3
3. Tyler Juergens (CAT) def. Eric Asakura (ECM) 6-1, 6-1
4. Ryan Little (CAT) def. Phil Grueninger (ECM) 6-1, 6-2
5. Christian Kearns (ECM) def. Paul Dekester (CAT) 6-0, 3-6, 10-8
6. Sebastian Zabala (CAT) def. Sam Walker (ECM) 3-6, 6-3, 10-5
Doubles competitionÂ
1. Esteve Augusti/Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Marcos Castares/Taketoshi Nanao (CAT) 6-4
2. Ryan Little/Tyler Juergens (CAT) def. Sam Walker/Eric Asakura (ECM) 6-2
3. Christian Kearns/Jon William Karlstad (ECM) def. Paul Dekester/Sebastian Zabala (CAT) 6-3
