ANDERSON, S.C. - Returning to South Atlantic Conference action after an 8-1 setback to GRU Augusta two weeks ago, Anderson University men's tennis returns home to square off against Lincoln Memorial on Monday. First serve from Max Grubbs Memorial Courts is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Trojans
In Anderson's last match, freshman Mateo Rivas was responsible for
the team's lone point, capturing a three-set 6-2, 2-6, 10-6 win
over Jaguar Romain Brunie at the No. 3 position. With the win,
Rivas has won three straight matches since moving to the No. 3
position to begin the month of March.
Also entering Monday's match with a winning streak is senior Danilo Faria, who sat out the match against GRU Augusta, as he has captured four straight wins at the No. 6 position. For the season, Faria is 5-2 in singles, including a perfect 4-0 mark against SAC opponents.
At the No. 1 position, freshman Juan Carracedo looks to bounce back after falling in straight sets to Victor Cavellos of GRU Augusta in AU's last contest. The loss snapped a two-match winning streak, as the freshman notched two straight triumphs over Mars Hill's Euquerio Guerrero and Brevard's David Taggart prior to his setback.
As a team, the Trojans come into Monday's SAC matchup with a 4-5 overall record, but a 4-1 mark in conference play. AU joins two other teams with one loss for the season, as Coker (7-1) and Tusculum (3-1) each have a conference setback on the year.
The Railsplitters
Lincoln Memorial, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament
after winning the 2013 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference
Tournament last season, has fallen on tough times, coming into a
match with conference rival Catawba on Sunday with a 2-6 record and
a 0-4 mark in the SAC. The Railsplitters have dropped two straight
matches, including a 5-0 loss at Newberry on March 18.
Will Sparks, who has played the No. 1 position this season, has struggled, dropping seven straight matches, not having won a match since the season-opener against North Greenville. Posting a winning record in singles action, Marcelo Alvim (No. 3) holds a 4-3 record and has won two of his last three matches. Sparks and Alvim are projected to play the No. 1 doubles position, as the tandem is 4-4 this year.
The Series
Last season, the Railsplitters eliminated AU from the
postseason with a 5-3 upset win in the semifinals of the SAC
Tournament. Earlier in the year, LMU bested the Trojans, taking a
5-4 regular season win in Harrogate, handing Anderson its lone
conference loss of the season. Prior to last season, the Trojans
are 1-2 against the Railsplitters, including a 2012 tournament
loss.
