By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With the start of Horizon League action on deck, the Tennessee Tech tennis team ended its early-season non-conference stretch with a 6-1 defeat at No. 22 Memphis on Saturday.
The matchup with the Tigers (12-3) marked the purple and gold's sixth contest against a nationally ranked opponent in eight total affairs this season. The Golden Eagles (0-8) earned their lone point of the afternoon on an Alex Alvarez singles triumph, the freshman's first collegiate spring solo victory.
Alvarez earned the win at the top of the singles lineup thanks to a hard-fought 7-6, 6-7, 10-6 decision over Harry Rock in the No. 1 battle. The Barcelona, Spain native's win was the only singles clash that went three sets.
Pau Fanlo defeated Murilo Burckhardt 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 2 get-together, while Moritz Kudernatsch knocked off Paulo Ramos Martin 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 3 meeting and Maxime Dubouch secured a 6-2, 7-6 nod in the No. 4 position.
Juan Zabala picked up a 6-0 victory in the first set of the No. 5 matchup with Lucas Bitzer before taking the second set 3-1 after Bitzer retired to pick up the point for the Tigers. Charlie Barry rounded out Memphis' solo attack with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Darek Kuczynski in the No. 6 gathering.
As far as doubles play is concerned, the Tigers notched victories in the No. 1 and No. 3 spots to capture the point. Harry Rock and Pau Fanlo carded a 6-2 triumph against Paulo Ramos Martin and Murilo Burckhardt in the No. 1 clash to go along with a Charlie Barry and Moritz Kudernatsch 6-1 decision over Darek Kuczynski and Alex Alvarez in the No. 3 slot.
The No. 2 tilt pitting Sam Reeve and Maxime Dubouch againt Lucas Bitzer and Davids Spaks did not finish with the score squared at 3-3.
Tech will now set its sights on the beginning of Horizon League play, as the Golden Eagles will host Lindenwood on Saturday, Mar. 30 in the conference opener. First serve with the Lions is slated for 1 p.m. CT and admission to Tech Tennis Courts is free of charge.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
