CONWAY, Ark. -- The John Brown University men's tennis team opened the 2024 spring season with a win in three appearances this weekend (Feb. 9-10), besting host Hendrix (Ark.) after falling to Dallas Baptist (Texas) and before a setback to Ozarks (Ark.) inside the Hatcher Tennis Center.
The Golden Eagles kicked off the weekend with a 5-2 setback to Dallas Baptist.
The tandem of senior Hudson Dick and sophomore Spencer Keeter did continue their undefeated doubles streak, knocking off Fabian Rosales and Arturo Langle on court one, but JBU fell in the second and third flights, handing the doubles point to the Patriots (3-0).
In singles play, Dick continued to shine at the first spot, defeating Ricardo Carvajalino by 6-4, 6-4 scores. His brother, Brady Dick, was the only other Golden Eagles to pick up a win, when he pieced together a comeback at the fifth flight over Zach Capone in third-set tiebreak fashion, 4-6, 6-4, 11-9.
Against the host Hendrix (1-3), John Brown faced a 2-1 deficit exiting doubles play, but again the duo of Hudson Dick and Keeter closed out doubles with an 8-5 win over Agustin Kalinowski and Maximilian Henderson – closing the gap to one.
Then, John Brown took off. The Golden Eagles captured four consecutive wins, jump-started by freshman Negad Ezzat's 6-4, 6-4 win over Eric Meyne on court two. At the first flight, Hudson Dick then quickly followed with a 6-4, 6-2 win, and Keeter then wrapped up a 7-5, 6-1 win over Henderson at the third slot.
Now well-armed with a 4-2 advantage, Brady Dick made relatively quick work at five, running past Jackson Roybal, 6-4, 6-0, to clinch the 5-4 Golden Eagle win.
After splitting matches on Friday, JBU returned to action to take on Ozarks for the second time this season. The Golden Eagles fell 5-4 in the first meeting, and Ozarks again would edge John Brown, 4-3.
Although not figuring into the final score, Dick and Keeter improved to 5-0 on the season in double play, dispatching Carlos Molero Llopis and Joshua Wilde at the first flight.
The Dick brothers each both clinched wins in singles play at one and five, respectively, and Keeter's 6-0, 6-3 win on court three improved him to 2-2 on the season.
Both Hudson and Brady sport 5-0 singles marks after five matches on the season.
John Brown returns to action on Friday morning (Feb. 16) when the Golden Eagles travel to Kansas City to take on Saint Mary (Kan.) (1-3) inside the Genesis Health Clubs – Clayview in at 8:30 a.m.
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