By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It went down to the wire, but in the end the Tennessee Tech tennis team started its spring campaign on an upbeat note as the Golden Eagles took down Lipscomb, 4-3, in the season opener from Nashville. The victory marked the second-straight year that TTU has started its spring season with a 4-3 win at Lipscomb.
A doubles victory set the tone in the in-state battle with the Bisons (0-2), before a combination of force at the top and depth at the bottom in the singles lineup took care of the rest in Tech's narrow nod. The Golden Eagles (1-0) collected wins in the top two doubles spots thanks to the tandem of junior Eduardo Mena and senior Alberto Esteban's 6-3 victory in the No. 1 slot, and juniors Carlos Tajes and Marcos Bernardes 7-6 (4) victory in the No. 2 spot.
Eduardo Mena took the momentum from doubles play into his singles bout, capturing a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over senior Rob Mitchell in the power packed No. 1 position.
Despite losses in the No. 2-4 slots for the Golden Eagles after Lipscomb freshman Victor Shaw bested Alberto Esteban, junior Alejando Manzanares ousted Marcos Bernardes and junior Daniel Cardenas defeated freshman Marc Mila, TTU would have the last laugh thanks to impressive showings at the back of the order.
Junior Jorge Alfonzo topped sophomore George Wong, 6-1, 6-2, in the No. 5 spot, before Carlos Tajes followed suit with a 7-5, 6-2 win against junior Thais Minet in the No. 6 slot.
The Golden Eagles will have a lengthy layoff before their next match, a trip to Chattanooga on Feb. 3 with action slated to begin at 5 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
