By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team has done it again. After collecting a 7-0 win over Austin Peay in Saturday's regular-season finale, the Golden Eagles will hoist the OVC's regular-season crown yet again, the program's eighth in the last 10 full seasons.
Tech's voyage to the top featured a dominant showing in conference play, as the Golden Eagles wrapped up an unbeaten conference slate with Saturday's 7-0 performance. TTU's 5-0 OVC record marks the program's fourth undefeated league campaign in last 10 full seasons.
The Golden Eagles (9-5, 5-0 OVC) end the regular season on a nine-match winning streak, and in conference play, outscored their opponents 31-5 in the five affairs. The club's only losses this spring are to "Power 5" competition.
Singles play proved to be the name of the game for Tech again, as the Golden Eagles captured all six clashes for the third consecutive match and fourth time over the last five contests. Not only did TTU seize all six matchups, but the Golden Eagles did not drop a single set with the Govs (2-10, 2-3 OVC) en route to the victory.
Rafael Tosetto and Mika Berghaus blanked their opponents in the second set, with Tosetto claiming a 6-1, 6-0 win over Jacob Lorino in the No. 4 spot and Berghaus carding a 6-3-, 6-0 triumph against Thiago Nogueira in the No. 6 position.
Tech was near flawless at the top of the order behind a Carlos Vicente 6-1, 6-4 nod over Frederic Schlossmann in the No. 1 affair, an Elias Grubert 6-3, 6-1 victory against Oliver Andersson in the No. 2 slot and an Evzen Holis 6-1, 6-2 win over Anton Damberg in the No. 3 battle. Andre Rodeia helped round out Tech's single success with a 6-3, 6-2 nod against Gabriel Nolasco Pozo in the No. 5 get-together.
The Golden Eagles won twice during tandem play to capture the doubles point thanks to victories in the No. 2 and No. 3 duels. Andre Rodeia and Rafael Tosetto collected a 6-1 triumph over Jacob Lorino and Oliver Andersson in the No. 2 position, while Carlos Vicente and Elias Grubert picked up a 6-4 win against Thiago Nogueira and Gabriel Nolasco Pozo in the No. 3 spot.
Evzen Holis and Jun Sasagawa led 5-4 over Frederic Schlossmann and Anton Damberg at the time the No. 1 tilt was called.
With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the Golden Eagles will set their sights on a fifth-consecutive OVC Tournament title. The semifinals are set for Saturday, Apr. 24 and the championship match is slated for Sunday, Apr. 25. The tournament will take place at the Wesselman Tennis Center in Evansville, Ind.
Photo by Thomas Corhern