By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A quartet of first-round victories was the name of the game for the Tennessee Tech tennis team, as the Golden Eagles once again put together a strong showing during a fall event as part of the ITA Ohio Valley Regionals.

A trio of Golden Eagles soared during singles play, with Tech collecting three of a possible four first-round triumphs. Alex Alvarez impressed to the tune of a straight-set win in his Round of 128 get-together with Jaxon Lamb of Chattanooga, with the TTU freshman out of Barcelona, Spain registering a 6-3, 6-1 win to move to the Round of 64. Alvarez was ultimately upended by Vanderbilt's Nathan Cox, but showed resiliency after a 6-0 first-set defeat. The Golden Eagle rookie notched a 6-4 second-set victory, before falling 6-0 in the final set.

Murilo Burckhardt joined Alvarez in the first-round winner's circle thanks to a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 decision against IUPUI's Noah Viste. The Tech freshman from Telemaco Borba, Brazil was ultimately upended in the Round of 64 with a 1-6, 6-2, 3-6 loss to Vanderbilt's Jeremie Casabon. A similar fate struck down for fellow freshman Lucas Bitzer, who first topped ETSU's Francisco Lamas, 6-3, 6-0 in the Round of 128, before falling to Kentucky's Jack Loutit, 6-3, 6-2, in the Round of 64.

Paulo Ramos Martin also fell to a "Power 5" opponent in his solo battle, as the 6-foot sophomore was tripped up by Louisville's Etienne Donnet by a 6-3, 6-0 margin in the Round of 128.

Ramos Martin was able to enjoy a doubles nod, and did so against a "Power 5" foe, teaming up with David Spaks for an 8-6 win over Nishanth Basavareddy and Deacon Thomas out of Indiana University in the Round of 64. The Tech tandem was then bounced 8-3 in the Round of 64 by IUPUI's Etienne Donnet and Natan Rodrigues.

Tech wrapped up its doubles play showing with an Alex Alvarez and Lucas Bitzer 8-3 loss to MTSU's Javier Cueto Ramos and Leo Raquin in the Round of 64.

The Golden Eagles will now set their sights on another fall event in Chattanooga, as the purple and gold will take aim in the UTC Steve Baras Invite, set for Oct. 27-29 in the Scenic City.

Photo by Thomas Corhern