By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the second straight week the Tennessee Tech tennis team collected some hardware, as freshman Rafael Tosetto was recognized as the Ohio Valley Conference's Male Tennis Athlete of the Week.
A week after senior Wenceslao Albin became the first Golden Eagle to earn the accolade this spring, Tosetto claims his first career weekly honor thanks to an impressive string of matches down in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Participating in the H-E-B Tournament of Champions, the longest-running college tournament in the country in its 53rd straight year in action, Tosetto posted a 2-1 singles record out of the vaunted top spot of the lineup. The Jacarei, Brazil native also posted a 2-1 doubles mark and played a pivotal role in Tech's first-round win over the host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
In TTU's 4-2 victory over the Islanders, Tosetto secured a straight-set 8-7, 7-6 win over William, Mottet in the No. 1 singles battle, while also teaming up with fellow freshman Lucca Silva to notch a 6-2 nod in the No. 3 position of doubles play.
In the third-place match of what is widely considered one of the most prestigious college tournaments in the country, Tosetto was at it again with another perfect afternoon on the courts. The 5-foot-8 rookie took down Kai Breitback, 6-1, 7-6, in the No. 1 singles clash and paired up with senior Wenceslao Albin to claim a 7-5 win in the No. 3 doubles spot. Although the Golden Eagles lost the match 5-2, Tosetto was involved in both points as Tech did end up clinching the doubles point.
Overall, the dynamic freshman is second on the team with four singles wins, all of which have come from the top slot in the Golden Eagle lineup. He is also tied for first on the squad with five doubles nods.
Tosetto and the rest of the purple and gold will be at home for the first time this spring, welcoming Lipscomb to Tech Tennis Courts for the home opener on Friday, Mar. 1 at noon CT. The Golden Eagles will hit the road Saturday for an 11 a.m. meeting at Chattanooga, but will return home Sunday for a noon showdown with Troy.
Admission to Tech Tennis Courts is free of charge.
