By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Another conference clash swings the Tennessee Tech tennis team's way, as the Golden Eagles took care of business with a 4-0 victory over Eastern Illinois in Saturday's get-together at Tech Tennis Courts.
TTU's convincing nod propelled the Golden Eagles to their third straight Horizon League triumph to remain unblemished in conference play. Tech (3-8, 3-0 HL) raced out to a quick beginning by capturing the doubles point and never looked back on the way to victories in all three completed singles battles to push the match into the win column.
The Golden Eagles took the early lead over the Panthers (3-19, 2-3 HL) by securing victories in both completed duo matchups. The Tech tandem of Murilo Burckhardt and Paulo Ramos Martin seized a 6-3 decision over Cameron Slabbert in the No. 2 slot, while Darek Kuczynski and Alex Alvarez squeezed out a 7-6 triumph in the No. 3 position to wrap up doubles action on top.
The top tangle pitting Lucas Bitzer and Davids Spaks against Tyler Carlin and Thomas Wallace did not finish with the scene situated at 6-6.
Alex Alvarez set the tone at the top of the singles lineup behind a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Pau Riera in the No. 1 clash, while the Golden Eagle contributions at the bottom of the lineup proved to be too much for EIU to overcome. Lucas Bitzer notched a 6-2, 6-0 nod against Thomas Wallace in the No. 5 battle and Darek Kuczynski followed suit with a 6-1, 6-1 win over William Hays in the No. 6 meeting to round out TTU's trio of solo points.
Although the other three singles matchups did not conclude, each Golden Eagle claimed the first set before the second set went unfinished. Murilo Burkhardt won the first set 6-0 over Carmeron Slabbert in the No. 2 spot, while Paulo Ramos Martin picked up a 6-4 first-set decision against Tyler Carlin in the No. 3 connection and Davids Spaks earned a 6-4 first-set triumph over Zach White in the No. 4 affair.
Tech will continue its season-long, four-match homestand with a Sunday afternoon gathering against UNC Asheville. First serve with the Bulldogs is slated for 2 p.m. CT and admission to Tech Tennis Courts is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
