By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It was a valiant effort in a day of lasts for the Tennessee Tech tennis team on Saturday, as the Golden Eagles fell to in-state rival Belmont in the final regular season and Horizon League match of the season at Tech Tennis Courts in Cookeville.
The Bruins (11-10, 4-0) edged the purple and gold (2-12, 1-3) by a tight final score of 4-3 in a tilt that not only represented the final match of the year for the Golden Eagles, it also marked the last tilt of three careers. Prior to the contest on Saturday, Tech seniors Lukas Krause and Darek Kuczynski were honored for their careers as Golden Eagles.
The tilt also marked the final match for Tennessee Tech head coach Kenny Doyle as the leader of the program, with the 16-year Golden Eagle veteran officially retiring following the conclusion of the season.
The Golden Eagles took the early lead on the day over the Bruins, capturing the doubles point with impressive showings at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. Competing in the second doubles position, Alex Alvarez and Murilo Burckhardt teamed up to down Esunge Ndumbe and Charlie Robin, 6-4.
Oliver Dao and Darek Kuczynski joined forces at the No. 3 slot, making quick work of Belmont's Diego Castro and Eli Mizerski with a 6-2 decision. The No. 1 pairing went unfinished with Tech's Lucas Bitzer and Elia Lauper deadlocked at 5-5 with Sabi Roi and Stefan Vedovelli.
Capturing singles wins for the Cookeville crew were Burckhardt and Dao, representing the purple and gold in the Nos. 2 and 3 slots, respectively. Burckhardt bested the Bruins' Robin with a comeback victory at No. 2.
The sophomore rallied from a 6-2 loss in the opening set for wins of 6-4 and 6-1 to take the valuable point. Dao also delivered a victory after falling in the first set, 7-6 (3), topping Belmont's Roi by scores of 6-2 and 7-5.
The Bruins picked up four singles victories to edge the Golden Eagles, coming out on top at the No. 1, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 positions. Ndumbe was responsible for the win at No. 1, besting Alvarez 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
At No. 4, Castro took the dub for the Bruins over Kuczynski, claiming a three-set decision with scores of 5-7, 6-4, and 6-4. Another three-set win for Belmont at No. 5 saw Vedovelli edge Ricard Garavi Yepez. Closing things out with a victory at No. 6, Bruin Mizerski outpaced Lauper 6-3, 6-2.
A retirement reception, celebrating head coach Kenny Doyle's Golden Eagle career, is on the books for Tuesday, Apr. 29 at 3 p.m. CT in the Eagles Nest of the Hooper Eblen Center. The event is open to the public.
Photo by Jim Dillon
