by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – Despite playing without its familiar lineup, the Barton College men's tennis team downed Bluefield College 5-4 for its second consecutive win on Monday afternoon.
After Bluefield College won at No. 3 doubles, the Barton duo of Jesus Gil and Robert Taylor earned an 8-3 win at No. 2 to tie the match at one point apiece. The Bulldogs' No. 1 doubles tandem of Jake McCartney and Yaxi Pintado won 9-7 to put BC ahead 2-1 early on.
Bluefield tied the match at 2-2 with a win at No. 6 singles before Pintado put Barton ahead once again with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Ben Holmes at No. 3. The Rams won the matchup at No. 2, while Barton's McKennon Griffin defeated Conor Whyte 6-2, 6-4 at No. 5 singles to put BC one point away from a win.
Senior Nick Genest, playing as the No. 1 singles player for the first time this season, earned a thrilling 6-2, 6-4 win over Markel Aranberri to seal the win for Barton. Bluefield's final point came at No. 4 with a three-set win.
Barton returns to Conference Carolinas play tomorrow when it hosts Limestone College at 2 p.m. at the Barton Tennis Complex.
BARTON 5, BLUEFIELD 4
Singles:
1. Nick Genest (BARTON) def. Markel Aranberri (BLU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Lochlan Kitchen (BLU) def. Jesus Gil (BARTON) 6-3, 6-4
3. Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) def. Ben Holmes (BLU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Carlton Tugman (BLU) def. Robert Taylor (BARTON) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
5. McKennon Griffin (BARTON) def. Conor Whyte (BLU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Patrik Martin (BLU) def. Beau Borg (BARTON) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles:
1. Jake McCartney/Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) def. Ben Holmes/Lochlan Kitchen (BLU) 9-7
2. Jesus Gil/Robert Taylor (BARTON) def. Carlton Tugman/Conor Whyte (BLU) 8-3
3. Markel Aranberri/Patrik Martin (BLU) def. McKennon Griffin/Rafael Ruiz Velasco (BARTON) 8-6
Records:
Bluefield Col. 1-4
Barton 7-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,3,2,5,1,4)
