By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team opened its 2016 conference campaign in sterling fashion Friday afternoon, rolling past Tennessee State, 6-1, in the first of two matches in Nashville over the weekend.
The formula was simple for the Golden Eagles (5-5) in this latest edition of the in-state rivalry with the Tigers (6-7) as Tech took care of business in doubles action and then caught fire during singles play.
TTU collected nods in the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles spots, using an Edurado Mena and Alberto Esteban 6-1 win in the top slot, and a Guillermo Nicolas and Jorge Alfonzo 6-3 decision in the No. 3 position to clinch the doubles point.
Leading 1-0, the Golden Eagles scorched their way to the finish line in singles action, securing victories in five of the six matches en route to the sharp beginning in their OVC slate. Sophomore Eduardo Mena moved to 9-1 in singles play this spring with a 6-0, 6-2 win over senior Daniel Bernal on the featured court.
Mena's rapid showing proved to be a theme as the Golden Eagles needed only two sets in four of their five singles nods. Freshman Guillermo Nicolas lost just two games as part of a 6-2, 6-0 win against freshman Jorge Rodriguez in the No. 3 spot. Sophomore Jorge Alfonzo rolled past fellow sophomore Grant Maddox with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in the No. 5 slot, and sophomore Carlos Tajes was perfect in his 6-0, 6-0 decision over freshman Amir Daniel in the No. 6 position.
Junior Alberto Esteban capped off the five Tech wins with a 3-6, 6-3, 10-7 victory against sophomore Shashank Nautiyal in the No. 2 spot.
Tech will be right back at it on Saturday, closing out its two-match road swing in Nashville with a battle against Belmont. The start time has been shifted to noon CT.
