WILSON, N.C.-Barton College No. 32 nationally ranked senior Cesar Grobel knocked off No. 23 Nandor Solymosi but No. 22 Lees-McRae held on for the 6-3 Conference Carolinas men's tennis victory Tuesday afternoon.
Grobel (8-3) easily disposed of Solymosi (7-3) in straight sets by scores of 6-1, 6-2. Grobel has won five straight singles matches and 6-of-7 in the month of March (with the only loss coming due to an injury default).
The preseason Conference Carolinas favorite Bobcats remained undefeated in league play at 4-0 while inching within one game of .500 at 5-6 overall. The Bulldogs had a five-match win streak snapped, slipping to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the league.
Lees-McRae took a 2-1 edge after doubles with wins in the bottom two draws. Grobel paired up with freshman Gabriel Araujo to prevent the doubles sweep with a 8-4 triumph in the top slot.
Grobel's single victory deadlocked the score at 2-up but the visitors would go on to win four of the final five singles bouts. Junior P.A. Desilets recorded the Bulldogs third point with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win in the third position.
Senior Diego Salinas was within points of winning his eighth straight singles match at No. 5 but Graham Battle won the marathon match 7-6 (3), 3-6, 11-9.
The Bobcats won the second, fourth, and sixth flights in straight sets.
Barton will try and get back in the win column on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Conference Carolinas foe and No. 39 nationally ranked Limestone College at 1 p.m.
