By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A pair of wins at the top of the lineup were ultimately not enough for the Tennessee Tech tennis team as the Golden Eagles fell, 4-3, to UNC Asheville Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore Eduardo Mena and junior Alberto Esteban paced Tech (1-1) in the top two singles spots thanks to a Mena 6-4, 6-3 nod over senior Thomas Orestis-Panoulas and an Esteban 6-4, 6-4 win over senior Alex Croker. TTU sophomore Jorge Alfonzo joined the punch delivered up top for the Golden Eagles with a victory in the No. 6 singles spot, taking out freshman Olly Cull, 6-4, 6-3 en route to a 3-3 split in singles play.     

The Golden Eagles were unable to register victories in the middle of the lineup, including a Carlos Tajes 6-4, 6-4 loss at the hands of Asheville senior Brett Landau in the No. 5 spot that clinched the match for the Bulldogs.

UNC Asheville was also able to capitalize on the key point earned in doubles play, winning in the No. 2 and No. 3 spot with nods by the Henry Patten/Josh Swindler tandem over Guillermo Nicolas and Alvaro Cintas in the No. 2 position, and the Thomas Orestis-Panoulas/Reid Dillon duo over Carlos Tajes and Jorge Alfonzo in the No. 3 spot.

The Golden Eagles did record a win in the top doubles position with an Eduardo Mena/Alberto Esteban 6-0 victory against Alex Croker and Brett Landau.

Tech will close out a season-opening three-match road trip on Friday, traveling to Florida Gulf Coast to clash with Eagles at 4 p.m. CT.