By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team picked up its first win of the spring as the Golden Eagles closed out their weekend swing down in the Peach State with a thrilling 4-3 triumph at Georgia State Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.
With the score knotted at 3-3 in the tilt's waning stages, Alex Alvarez secured a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win over Cem Atlamis in the No. 2 position to officially put the purple and gold in the win column. Alvarez's nod was one of four Tech singles victories on the afternoon for the club's first four singles triumphs of the season.
"Wow what a match this was," TTU head coach Mark Klysner said following his first career win at the helm of the Golden Eagles. "It had everything you could ask for in a college tennis match. I couldn't be happier and prouder of these guys in their fight and perseverance. They gutted this one out big time. Shout out to Diego [Munoz] in getting his first college win in singles and also a shoutout to Alex for clinching the win."
Like Alvarez, Munoz won his battle in three sets with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Sota Minami in the No. 4 get-together. Davids Spaks and Murilo Burckhardt joined Alvarez and Munoz in the solo triumph department as Spaks picked up a 7-5, 6-1 win against Arthur Attrill in the No. 3 slot and Burckhardt topped Aryan Jit Singh, 6-2, 6-0, in the No. 5 meeting.
Georgia State (2-3) secured victories in the other two singles battle thanks to a Gariele Datei 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1) decision against Olvier Dao in the No. 1 clash and a Gustav Andersson 6-3, 6-3 win against over Christian Cappuccini in the No. 6 position.
The Golden Eagles (1-4) were tripped up in doubles play after the Panthers took home wins in both completed matchups. Arthur Attrill and Gabriele Datei earned a 7-5 victory against No. 48 Alex Alvarez and Davids Spaks in the No. 1 gathering, while Gustav Andersson and Sota Minami earned a 6-1 nod against Murilo Burckhardt and Diego Munoz in the No. 3 spot.
The No. 2 battle pitting Oliver Dao and Linus Rohlin against Cem Atlamis and Aryan Jit Singh did not finish with the scene situated at 6-6.
The Golden Eagles will have a little bit of time before their next match with a Feb. 19 meeting at Eastern Kentucky on the books. First serve with the Colonels is slated for 3 p.m. CT.
Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics
