By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team secured its first win of the season behind a 6-1 nod in Saturday's neutral-site affair with Austin Peay.

In the first meeting in three years between the former OVC foes, the Golden Eagles (1-3) soared during singles play to the tune of five victories in six solo clashes. Alex Alvarez set the tone at the top with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Sota Minami in the No. 1 position for one of four straight-set victories for the purple and gold.

Murilo Burckhardt notched a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Aeneaas Schuab in the No. 3 tangle, while Elia Lauper picked up a 6-2, 6-2 nod against Bodi van Galen in the No. 5 spot and Ricard Garavi Yepez collected a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Lucas Ranciaro in the No. 6 meeting.

Darek Kuczynski rounded out Tech's singles attack after rallying from an early setback that saw the Golden Eagle senior card a 5-7, 6-4, 10-5 win in the No. 4 battle.

Austin Peay (0-1) earned its only point behind a Tom Bolton 6-4, 6-3 victory against Oliver Dao in the No. 2 slot.

Dao did secure a doubles win, joining forces with Davids Spaks for a 6-4 nod against Minami and Schuab in the top tandem tangle to help the Golden Eagles pick up the doubles point. Alvarez and Burckhardt were responsible for the other duo nod thanks to a 7-5 win against van Galen and Tortajada in the No. 2 get-together.

Kuczynski and Lucas Krause were tripped up in the No. 3 matchup with a 6-3 loss to Ranciaro and Bolton.

Tech will now set its sights on a fourth-straight match against a school from Tennessee as the Golden Eagles will travel to Chattanooga for a Friday, Jan. 31 meeting with the Mocs. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.

Photo by Jim Dillon