by Cory Guinn of Barton College
SUMTER, S.C. – The Barton men's tennis team was crowned the Conference Carolinas Tournament Champions on Sunday morning with a 5-1 win over Belmont Abbey College at the Palmetto Tennis Center.
Barton, the tournament's No. 4 overall seed, won the tournament title for the first time since the 1997 season and the second time in in program history.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," said second-year head coach Matt Rowe after the win. " We have talked all weekend about having faith in each other and in the team. To think that our captain left the courts in an ambulance on Friday to winning two doubles and two singles matches that culminated in a team title is extraordinary."
Team captain Jake McCartney was taken to a nearby hospital following the quarterfinals on Friday after suffering severe dehydration. However, the senior came back to win every match he participated in over the semifinals and finals, helping lead his team to victory and earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award.
The Bulldogs were ahead 3-0 after the conclusion of doubles play, winning all three matches including a dominating 8-1 win at No. 1 by the team of freshman Julian Bosch and sophomore Jesus Gil. Freshman Ermanno Galimberti and senior Yaxi Pintado teamed together for an 8-6 win at No. 2, while McCartney and freshman Rory Gaydon won 8-4 in the No. 3 position.
McCartney was also a 6-4, 6-0 winner in the No. 2 singles match as Bosch won 6-0, 6-3 in the top singles spot to give Barton the five points it needed to secure the title.
Along with McCartney's MVP selection, Bosch and Gil were also named to the All-Tournament Team for third performances during the weekend.
Barton now awaits its next opponent in the upcoming NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at 8:30 p.m. Fans can watch the shows here: http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2017/3044&date=2017/04/25
2017 Men's All-Tournament Team:
- Frederick Garnier Limestone
- Martin Moser Mount Olive
- George Barfield Belmont Abbey
- Zachary Blythe Belmont Abbey
- Jesus Gil Barton
- Julian Bosch Barton
- Tournament MVP: Jake McCartney Barton
Barton 5, Belmont Abbey 0
Singles:
1. Julian Bosch (BARTON) def. Juan Baez (BAC-M) 6-0, 6-3
2. Jake McCartney (BARTON) def. Grant Goldin (BAC-M) 6-4, 6-0
3. James Delaney (BAC-M) vs. Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) 3-6, 1-0, unfinished
4. George Barfoot (BAC-M) vs. Rory Gaydon (BARTON) 6-1, 2-1, unfinished
5. Zachary Blythe (BAC-M) vs. Ermanno Galimberti (BARTON) 6-3, 1-2, unfinished
6. Carlos Nolasco (BAC-M) vs. Jesus Gil (BARTON) 4-6, 3-4, unfinished
Doubles:
1. Jesus Gil/Julian Bosch (BARTON) def. George Barfoot/James Delaney (BAC-M) 8-1
2. Ermanno Galimberti/Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) def. Grant Goldin/Zachary Blythe (BAC-M) 8-6
3. Rory Gaydon/Jake McCartney (BARTON) def. Tomas Pardo/Michael Rapsik (BAC-M) 8-4
Records:
Barton College 14-8
Belmont Abbey College 21-13