By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A dominating showing in Music City to the tune of a 6-1 victory was the story for the Tennessee Tech tennis team on Saturday, as the Golden Eagles powered their way past Tennessee State to move to 2-0 in OVC play.
Not only did Tech (4-10, 2-0) remain perfect on its league ledger, but the purple and gold continued a hot surge that has now seen the club claim three of its last four matches after a 1-10 beginning to the spring.
Five-of-six Golden Eagles secured victories in singles action over the Tigers (3-15, 0-2), with all five nods coming via straight sets. Rafael Tosetto made his return to the TTU lineup for the first time since Feb. 26 and came through in a big way behind 6-3, 6-0 victory over Diego Britt-Alvarez in the No. 5 meeting. Tosetto's triumph was one of two that featured a clean 6-0 set-nod, with Carlos Vicente doubling up on an unblemished performance that saw the Valencia, Spain product produce a 6-0, 6-0 win against Maksims Kazijevs in the No. 3 affair.
Vicente has now won three of his last four singles matchups, a claim that can be made for both Elias Grubert and Mika Berghaus as well following the dynamic duo's Saturday showing at the top of the Tech lineup. Grubert cashed in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Leandros Misdrachis in the No. 1 position, while Berghaus picked up a 6-1, 6-3 decision against Daniel Perez Caraballo in the No. 2 slot.
Evzen Holis put together another strong performance since returning to the Golden Eagle lineup, as the Brno, Czech Republic product moved to 2-1 over his last three matchups since coming back to the courts after collecting a 6-4, 6-3 nod over Nil Moinet in the No. 4 get-together. Jun Sasagawa rounded out Tech's solo showing with a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Pierre Copin the No. 6 duel.
The Golden Eagles began the match in primed fashion after seizing the doubles point for the third time this season and the second time in the last three contests. Holis and Andre Rodiea notched a 6-1 triumph over Moinet and Britt-Alvarez in the No. 2 showdown, while Sasagawa and Vicente picked up a 6-3 win against Kazijevs and Misdrachis in the No. 3 spot.
The No. 1 clash pitting Grubert and Berghaus against Copin and Caraballo did not finish, though Tech's tandem did lead 4-3 at the time it was called.
The Golden Eagles will go right back to work with the club's seventh nationally-ranked battle this season on Sunday, as Tech will head to Atlanta to meet No. 65 Georgia State. First serve is set for noon CT.
Photo by Thomas Corhern