Tech and UTC split matches before conference play starts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Golden Eagle tennis teams traveled to another time zone. Granted it was only an hour ahead in Chattanooga, but timing was key. The men's team picked up their first shut-out win of the season of the UTC Mocs and the women fell 4-3.

Both teams return home this Friday to begin OVC play when they host Morehead State at 12 and 2 p.m. with the women to play first. They will both play home against UT Martin at 2 p.m. on Saturday while the men will also play a home match against Appalachian State on Sunday at 11 a.m.

"The guys played great," said coach Dan Silverstein. "They came together as a team and it showed on the court."

Tech men got things started off right earning the doubles point, claiming wins at number two and three.

Freshman Alex Chen teamed up with sophomore Mario Gutierrez to win at the second spot 8-6 after the all-freshmen duo of Justin Kirstein and Oscar Pachon won at number three 8-2.

With the lead heading into singles, Tech continued on the winning path.

Reigning OVC Player of the Week, sophomore Dean O'Brien, who also just moved up the rankings to the No. 102 spot, picked up a straight sets win at number one 6-3, 6-2.

Tech also won in straight sets at two, three, four and six. Pachon lost the first set 5-7, but rebounded for to win the next two sets to give Tech the sweep of the Mocs.

However, the Mocs earned a bit of revenge when the Lady Mocs were able to scrap out a 4-3 win over Tech's women.

"This was a disapointing loss for the women," Silverstein said. "It will help us get ready for conference play on Friday."

The match ended up coming down to the doubles point where Tech was swept.

Sophomore Kelly Holtzhausen remained undefeated this spring at the top spot giving up only three games in a 6-1, 6-2 win.