by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Freshman Jake McCartney defeated regionally ranked Edgar Bub in the marquee singles match to highlight play for host Barton College in a 7-2 Conference Carolinas home loss to ITA 28th nationally ranked University of Mount Olive on Thursday afternoon at the Barton Tennis Complex.
The Bulldogs took three other singles matches to three sets in the squad's attempt of knocking off the league's top team.
The Trojans, who are ranked seventh in the powerful Southeast Region, are 12-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference. UMO's only loss came against a Division I foe in East Carolina University.
McCartney tallied his statement win in straight sets defeating Bub by scores of 6-4 and 6-3. Bub is a two-time First Team All-Conference selection that is currently ranked 17th in the Southeast Region. McCartney is 11-1 overall and 8-0 against DII opposition including 5-0 in league skirmishes.
McCartney partnered with sophomore Rafael Ruiz to provide BC with its only doubles win. McCartney-Ruiz (11-3) won the top match 8-6 over Bub and Rik Wolthuis.
The Trojans took the 2-1 lead into singles with a pair of 8-3 victories in the other two doubles matches.
Junior No. 3 Max Leppert, sophomore No. 5 Daniel Radu and freshman No. 6 Yaxi Pintado all won their opening singles clashes. If they all held on the Bulldog would have knocked off Mount Olive. However, the Trojans rallied to win all three of those bouts in three sets to secure the team victory.
Barton (9-5 overall, 1-4 conf.) will next play at league foe Belmont Abbey College on Sunday at 2 p.m.
