The Basics
The West Virginia Wesleyan men's tennis program (1-2, 1-0 MEC) welcomes Charleston (7-2, 3-0 MEC) on Friday in a critical home match for Mountain East Conference play. First serve is set for 4 p.m. at the WVWC tennis courts.
 
Quick Hits

• Wesleyan is coming off a 4-3 road victory against Fairmont State on Tuesday. The Bobcats swept doubles play and added straight-set wins at the top three singles lines to take down the Falcons.
• Carlos Dodero Fernandez, Harry Simaioforidis, and Taylor Papworth were singles winners on Tuesday, with each picking up their first singles victory of the 2021 season.
• The Bobcats were ranked No. 10 in last week's ITA Atlantic Regional rankings, but are set to move up following their win over fourth-ranked Fairmont State.
• This matchup will pit the top two teams in the MEC Men's Tennis preseason poll against each other, with Charleston picked to be the favorites to take home their first MEC title.
• The rivalry between the two tennis programs runs deep, as WVWC defeated Charleston to win their 2019 Mountain East Conference Championship.
• A new season brings a new face leading the Bobcat tennis program. Jay Evans enters his first year at the helm of the tennis program, following a stint at fellow MEC conference member Davis & Elkins. Evans' high-energy provides a spark and swagger to the tennis program.

Scouting Charleston Men's Tennis

• The Golden Eagles enter Friday's matchup with a 7-2 record, including six straight wins, with their only losses coming at the hands of Grand Valley State, and Division I opponent Northern Kentucky.
• Charleston currently slots in at #2 in the ITA Atlantic Regional rankings, but is undefeated in regional matches this season, including a 4-3 win over #1 Bluefield State on March 26th.
• John Giesberts has been named MEC Player of the Week three times this season for his performance at #1 singles and is ranked No. 47 in Division II. Krish Patel won honors for the week of March 29th.
• Head Coach Matt Santen is in his 15th season at the helm of the Golden Eagles' program, and his UC program has qualified for six NCAA tournaments during his tenure.

 
Up Next
WVWC men's tennis plays host to Davis & Elkins for a 4 p.m. match on Monday, April 12.