RICHMOND, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team split the singles competition, but were unable to come back as the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (7-5, 1-0) opened with a win in double competition, winning the dual 4-3.

The deciding point was earned in the doubles play. While junior Alex Arovin and sophomore Alberto Esteban teamed up with take the No.1 double match 8-2 over EKU's Juanjo De La Llera and Sebastian Mueller. Tech fall in the No. 3 match 8-3 as freshmen Jorge Alfonzo and Carlos Tajes could not keep up with Alex Alvaro and Diego Asis, falling 8-3. The deciding doubles match was a fight in the No. 2 spot, but ultimately freshman Eduardo Mena and junior Alvaro Cintas could not take down the Colonels Ramon Van Flyman and Diogo Soares, falling 8-6, giving EKU the doubles point.

Tech (2-11, 0-1) opened up the singles matches with three straight wins. Mena finished of Daridge Saidi in the No. 3 match in a quick 6-2, 6-0 win. Arovin following with a 6-3, 6-4 win over EKU's Alvaro in the No. 1 match. Tech's Cintas followed with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Soares in the No. 4 match.

However, the next three went in the favor of the host as they took the No. 2, 5, and 6 matches to seal the game. Esteban fell to Van Flyman in two close sets in the No. 2 spot, 7-6, 7-6. Alfonzo fell 6-3, 6-2, to De La Llera in the No. 6 match-up. Tajes gave EKU's Mueller all he had, fighting for the last point that could have switched the match. Tajes fell in the opening set 3-6, but rebounded to take the second set 6-2, but in the third and deciding set, Mueller took the match and helped the Colonels with a 6-3 win.

Tech returns to action as they head to Morehead State Saturday at 12 p.m.