Golden Eagles battle back to claim 5-2 win over Georgia State

FAIRFIELD GLADE, Tenn. – Alex Chen battled back to win in three sets and give Tennessee Tech a lead and Lloyd Harris won the clincher as the Golden Eagles captured five of six singles points to claim a 5-2 victory over Georgia State Saturday afternoon in men’s tennis action.

The Panthers claimed a 1-0 lead by winning two of three doubles matches and had a 2-0 lead after Calvin Kemp posted a straight set win over Josh Girling at No. 2 singles, 6-4, 6-1.

But the Golden Eagles started putting points on the board to begin their comeback. First, Justin Kirstein claimed a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 3 over Lucas Santana and Nick Stafford outlasted Henri Mangin at No. 4 singles, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7) to tie the match at 2-2.

After losing the first set 2-6, Chen came all the way back to win 6-4 and 6-2 over Victor Valente at the No. 1 spot to put Tech ahead 3-2.

Playing on four indoor courts, the final two singles contests at No. 5 and No. 6 began play with the outcome still hanging in the balance.

Harris gave Kenny Doyle his first dual match win as Golden Eagle head coach when he recorded a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Trenton Spinks at No. 6 singles. Moments later, Oscar Pachon overcame a loss in the middle set to earn a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory at No. 5 fover Jackson Moore for Tech’s fifth point.

The win left Tech with a 1-1 dual match record while GSU’s record slipped to 5-2. The Golden Eagle men’s and women’s teams were scheduled to play Mercer Sunday in Chattanooga but those matches have been canceled.

Tennessee Tech 5, Georgia State 2
at Fairfield Glade

Singles
No. 1 – Alex Chen (TTU) def. Victor Valente (GSU), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 – Calvin Kemp (GSU) def. Josh Girling (TTU), 6-4, 6-1
No. 3 – Justin Kirstein (TTU) def. Lucas Santana (GSU), 6-4, 6-3
No. 4 – Nick Stafford (TTU) def. Menri Mangin (GSU), 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)
No. 5 – Oscar Pachon (TTU) def. Jackson Moore (GUS), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
No. 6 – Lloyd Harris (TTU) def. Trenton Sparks (GSU), 7-6, 6-4

Doubles
No. 1 – Kemp/Spinks (GSU) def. Girling/Stafford (TTU), 8-4
No. 2 – Chen/Harris (TTU) def. Gutierrez/Moore (GSU, 8-6
No. 3 – Valente/Mangin (GSU) def. Pachon/Kirstein (TTU), 8-5

Order of singles finish: 2, 3, 4, 1, 6, 5

Records:
Tennessee Tech 1-1
Georgia State 5-2