By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team unwrapped OVC play in a big way, as the Golden Eagles secured a 6-1 win over Eastern Illinois in Saturday afternoon's conference opener at Tech Tennis Courts. Following TTU's 4-3 comeback victory over Chattanooga in Thursday's home opener, the Golden Eagles (3-9, 1-0 OVC) have now won back-to-back matches for the first time this season.
The beginning of OVC action against the Panthers (3-17, 0-1 OVC) featured a healthy Tech lineup with six Golden Eagles available for the first time since Mar. 13 at No. 23 Middle Tennessee. Evzen Holis' return to the rotation helped pave the way to a dominating singles showing that featured TTU wins in five-of-six spots.
Holis captured a 6-4, 6-2 nod over Cameron Slabbert in the No. 3 battle, one of four Golden Eagles to seize their respective matchup in straight sets. Elias Grubert powered home a 6-0, 6-2 victory against Leighton Brandon in the No. 1 position, while Mika Berghaus collected a 6-1, 7-5 decision over Christos Kyrillou in the No. 2 meeting and Carlos Vicente picked up a 6-1, 6-3 triumph against Thomas Wallace in the No. 5 get-together.
Jun Sasagawa needed more than two sets in his win over Pau Riera behind a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 10-8 victory out of the No. 6 spot. Andre Rodeia was the only Golden Eagle to fall in his solo matchup, retiring in the second set after Tyler Carlin tripped him up 6-2 in the opener in the No. 4 position.
Tech took the doubles point for the second time this season thanks to triumphs in both completed battles. Mika Berghaus and Elias Grubert registered a 6-3 triumph over Christos Kyrillou and Thomas Wallace in the No. 1 showdown, while Carlos Vicente and Jun Sasagawa completed a 6-0 decision against Tyler Carlin and Max Pilipovic-Kljajic in the No. 3 affair.
The No. 2 duel pitting Evzen Holis and Andre Rodeia against Cameron Slabbert and Leighton Brandon did not finish, with Holis and Rodeia leading at the time it was called.
The Golden Eagles will be right back at it on Sunday, traveling to the University of Alabama for a 5:30 p.m. CT match in Tuscaloosa. The tilt with the Tide will conclude a busy stretch that will see Tech play three times in the span of four days. The Golden Eagles have won the first two thanks to Thursday's 4-3 nod over Chattanooga and Saturday's 6-1 victory against EIU.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
