KNOXVILLE, Tenn.  -- Tennessee Tech sophomore Eduardo Mena took it right to the brink at the USTA/ITA Regional Championships before falling in the finals Monday, 6-2, 6-1, to Sam Monette of Indiana

Mena had captured six straight matches at the regional event at the University of Tennessee in order to reach the pinnacle match Monday. He put together a gutsy performance Sunday in his semi-final victory, outlasting Rob Medinilla from Purdue, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5).

Mena’s route to the championship round included some impressive and hard-earned wins. He opened play Thursday morning with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Chris Patzanonsky from Memphis. Thursday afternoon, he claimed a 6-2, 6-3, straight set win over fellow Spaniard Alex Alvaro from Eastern Kentucky.

Continuing his play against fellow countrymen, Mena met fourth-seeded David Biosca of East Tennessee Friday. Mena won handily, 6-4, 6-4, setting up a showdown against Vanderbilt junior Ryan Smith.  After dropping the first set, Mena battled back to win the next two and advance into the quarterfinals with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

In the Saturday afternoon quarterfinal round, Mena faced another seeded opponent, and once again dropped the first set before fighting his way back. Facing Robert Herrera of East Tennessee State, Mena prevailed, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, to move into the semi-finals Sunday, where he defeated Medinilla.

He was playing for the opportunity to advance to New York City, Nov. 12-15, to play in the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The Golden Eagle tennis team turns its attention to the North Carolina State Invitational, which begins Friday in Raleigh, N.C.