The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team dropped its spring season opener 7-0 at MTSU today. The Mocs won one doubles match on the road to start the dual match portion of their 2016-17 schedule.
Chattanooga had an opportunity to take the doubles point after junior Michael Birnbaum and freshman Niklas Gerdes came up with a big win over Miguel Negre and Gian Issa (6-3) at No. 2. Senior Nic Wilson and freshman Simon Bustamante played solid at No.
1 before losing (6-3) to Gonzalo Morell and Tom Moonen.
Wilson also battled at No. 1 in his first singles match in almost two years. Returning from injury, he lost to Morell in straight sets (6-1, 7-5). Gerdes also competed well in his first collegiate outing before falling to Moonen (6-3, 6-3) at No. 2.
"I saw many positives in today's loss," stated UTC head coach Carlos Garcia. "It is the start of a long season so with the feedback from this match and a good week of practice, we will be more prepared for our next challenge."
The Mocs are back on the road next weekend, traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C. The Mocs face the Tar Heels at 12:30 p.m. (E.S.T.) on Sunday, Jan. 22. Be sure to check back to GoMocs.com for a full recap.
MTSU 7, Chattanooga 0
1/16/2017 at Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Adams Tennis Complex)
Doubles competition
1. Gonzalo Morell/Tom Moonen (MT) def. Nic Wilson/Simon Bustamante (UTC) - 6-3
2. Niklas Gerdes/Michael Birnbaum (UTC) def. Miguel Negre/Gian Issa (MT) - 6-3
3. Max Rauch/Luis Morillo Diaz (MT) def. Austin Boaz/Pablo Llebeili (UTC) - 6-1
Singles competition
1. Gonzalo Morell (MT) def. Nic Wilson (UTC) - 6-1, 7-5
2. Tom Moonen (MT) def. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) - 6-3, 6-3
3. #113 Luis Morillo Diaz (MT) def. Simon Bustamante (UTC) - 6-3, 6-4
4. Miguel Negre (MT) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) - 6-4, 6-3
5. Max Rauch (MT) def. Michael Birnbaum (UTC) - 6-0, 6-1
6. Gian Issa (MT) def. Austin Boaz (UTC) - 6-1, 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,4,2,1,3)