Kuykendall Nabs First Singles Victory, Men's Tennis Drops Season Opener
CONWAY, Ark. -- The John Brown men's tennis team (0-1) started the season with a 7-2 setback to Hendrix (Ark.), but enjoyed a bright spot from a freshman making his first collegiate start on Friday (Feb. 19) afternoon at the Hendrix Tennis Courts.
The Golden Eagles received a pair of wins from freshman Nathan Kuykendall at the fourth singles and second doubles slots, marking his first collegiate victories. Joining Kuykendall was freshmanFernando Hurley, as the team paired up to take down Ian McVinney and Kiran Chakka, 9-7. Kuykendall nabbed his singles win with a 6-3, 6-1, score against Chakka.
In the other doubles action, Hendrix's Karthik Garimella and Kristian Lenser defeated senior Colton Cheek and sophomore Kumhal Fulghem, 8-2, in the top flight. At number three doubles, Daniel Habenicht and Luke Lefler beat freshman Matthew Minner and seniorLuke Reimer in a narrow 8-6 battle.
The Warriors (3-2) also won five of the six singles contests. McVinney topped Cheek in a 6-1, 7-6, victory at the top spot while Garimella took down Hurley 6-3, 6-2, at number two singles. Lenser won his third-flight match over Fulghem, 6-2, 6-2. Lefler had a 7-5, 6-0, win over Reimer in the fifth spot as Habenicht defeated Minner 7-6, 6-0, at number six.
The Golden Eagles finish the neutral-location weekend play against Ozarks (Ark.) tomorrow morning.
