Tech falls vs. UNC Asheville in Sunday matinee
ASHEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech claimed the top three singles matches Sunday afternoon, but the Golden Eagles dropped points in the lower spots as well as the doubles point in sustaining a tough, 4-3 loss to UNC Asheville in the Asheville Racquet Club Downtown
ASHEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech claimed the top three singles matches Sunday afternoon, but the Golden Eagles dropped points in the lower spots as well as the doubles point in sustaining a tough, 4-3 loss to UNC Asheville in the Asheville Racquet Club Downtown.
The Bulldogs improved their record to 7-1, continuing thebest start in program history, while the Golden Eagles saw their record slip to 1-4.
Asheville took a crucial 1-0 lead with the doubles point, a marker which proved to be the margin of victory. UNCA won at No. 1 and No. 3 to clinch the point, while the No. 2 contest went unfinished.
In the center court, Alex Arovin and Alberto Esteban were tripped up by Brett Landau and Alex Croker by a 6-4 count. The No. 3 match went to UNCA when Josh Swindler and Daniel Kripak swept to a 6-0 victory over Othon Lima and Artem Tarasov.
The top of the Golden Eagle lineup had its usual stellar performance, with all three players claiming wins to give Tech a 3-1 lead in the match. That lead wasn't secure, however, as the Bulldogs were rolling to wins in the lower three position while Tech was building its precarious lead.
In the No. 2 singles contest, Esteban claimed a straight set, 6-2, 6-2, win over Thomas Panoulas. Likewise at No. 3, where Mena took a 6-4, 6-4 decision from John Swindler.
In the No. 1 match, Arovin was pushed to a tiebreaker in the first set before winning, 7-6 (7-5) over Kripak. He then took the point with a 6-4 win in the second set.
At No. 4, Croker began the comeback as he topped Cintas, 6-4, 6-4. Landau won in straight sets at No. 5, claiming a 6-2, 6-4 win over Carlos Tejas. The final point fell in the No. 6 position, where Asheville's Johns Schubel sealed the victory with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Lima.
The Golden Eagles head to Kennesaw, Ga., next weekend for a pair of matched. On Saturday, Tech faces Xavier at noon. Sunday's match will be against either Kennesaw or Liberty, depending on Saturday's results, at 9 a.m.
