By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Sunday proved to be a tad bit more super for the University of Tennessee as the Tennessee Tech tennis team was unable to pull off the upset over the Vols, falling 6-1 at the Goodfriend Tennis Center.
Despite the loss, junior Eduardo Mena continued his early season success, rolling his singles mark to a perfect 4-0 behind a thrilling victory out of the No. 1 spot. It took three sets and needed a tiebreaker in the final set, but in the end, the Bultrago del Lozoya, Spain native topped Timo Stodder, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
The captivating singles duel was one of two battles that went the distance as Tech freshman Marc Mila displayed resiliency after dropping the first set 6-1 to senior Jack Schipanski in the No. 5 matchup. Mila rallied to take the second set, 6-4, but Schipanski had the last laugh with a 6-2 nod in the decisive third set.
The Vols (6-2) took the other four singles affairs in two sets as Luis Valero bested Alberto Esteban, 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 2 slot, Scott Jones knocked off Marcos Bernardes, 7-5, 6-4, in the No. 3 position, Srdjan Jakovljevic topped Guillermo Nicolas, 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 4 spot and Luca Wiedenmann beat Jorge Alfonzo, 6-1, 6-4 in the No. 6 spot.
Tech (2-2) was unable to take the doubles point after UT took the first two matchups. Luis Valero and Jack Schipanski defeated Eduardo Mena and Alberto Esteban, 6-4, in the No. 1 tilt and the combination of Timo Stodder and Scott Jones registered a 6-1 win over the duo of Carlos Tajes and Jorge Alfonzo in the No. 2 slot. The No. 3 matchup of Guillermo Nicolas and Marcos Bernardes against Srdjan Jakovljevic and Luca Wiedenmann did not finish with the score deadlocked at 5-5.
The Golden Eagles will now set their sights on their first match outside of the Volunteer State this season as Tech will travel to UNC Asheville for a Saturday, Feb. 11 meeting with the Bulldogs. The match is slated to begin at 3 p.m. CT.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
