By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—The Tennessee Tech tennis team concluded a busy weekend on the courts with a 6-1 loss to Alabama in the club's sixth matchup against a "Power 5" opponent in 13 total contests this spring. The loss to the Crimson Tide snapped a season-best two-match heater that featured back-to-back home wins over Chattanooga and Eastern Illinois.
Carlos Vicente was responsible for Tech's lone win thanks to a 6-3, 6-4 triumph out of the No. 4 singles spot for the 5-foot-8 junior's second consecutive solo nod. Vicente's victory was one of four singles matchups that ended in straight sets, with the other three swinging in favor of the Tide (7-16).
Patrick Kaukovalta took home a 7-5, 6-2 win over Elias Grubert in the top slot, while German Samofalov defeated Mika Berghaus 6-2, 7-5 in the No. 2 position and Joe Ferreira secured a 7-5, 7-5 decision against Evzen Holis in the No. 3 battle. Jun Sasagawa claimed a 6-4 first-set win against Zach Forster in the No. 5 get-together, but Foster rallied for back-to-back 6-2 triumphs in the second and third sets to capture the only three-set singles meeting.
Juan Martin was credited with a victory over Rafael Tosetto in the No. 6 matchup after Tosetto retired.
The Golden Eagles (3-10) were tripped up during doubles play, as the Tide seized wins in each of the top two tilts. Patrick Kaukovalta and Filip Planinsek notched a 6-4 victory over Mika Berghaus and Elias Grubert in the No. 1 showdown, while Joao Ferreira and German Samofalov collected a 6-1 nod against Evzen Holis and Rafael Tosetto in the No. 2 position.
The No. 3 battle pitting Carlos Vicente and Jun Sasagawa and Rudi Christiansen and Zach Foster did not finish with the score squared at 4-4.
After completing a stretch of three matches in four days over the weekend, the Golden Eagles will set their sights on consecutive road clashes with a Saturday, Apr. 9 affair at Tennessee State and a Sunday, Apr. 10 get-together at Georgia State. Botch contests are slated to start at noon CT.
Photo by Thomas Corhern