Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team took the first of two matches today, with a 5-2 victory at Austin Peay.  The Mocs won the doubles point and four singles matches in the victory.

Despite playing without sophomore Simon Bustamante, the No. 2 player on the squad, Chattanooga controlled the match throughout.  The Mocs won two of three doubles, led by a 6-1 victory at No. 1 from senior Michael Birnbaum and sophomore Niklas Gerdes. 

Freshman Luke Plaisted kept the momentum going with a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 3.  Junior Pablo Llebeili stepped in to the No. 2 slot and scored a straight-sets with for a 3-0 lead.  Gerdes clinched the team victory with a come-from-behind three-setter at No. 1.  

The Mocs' final point came from freshman Cooper Long, who won his third-straight singles match. 

"This was a great win for this team," stated UTC head coach Chuck Merzbacher.  "On the road and without our No. 2 player, these kids pulled together for a gritty win and I am very proud of them."

UTC dropped the second match 6-1 to Abilene Christian in Hardin, Ky.  The nightcap was played at the Kenlake Tennis Center.  Freshman Jacob Marshall scored the long point for the Mocs against ACU.  

"Even though we fell short in the second match, I couldn't be more proud," added Merzbacher.  "The level of tennis, combined with their toughness, showed today."

Up next for Chattanooga is a trip to Kentucky on Feb. 2.  

Chattanooga 5, Austin Peay 2
Jan 27, 2018 at Clarksville, Tenn. (Governors Tennis Center)
Doubles competition
1. Niklas Gerdes/Michael Birnbaum (UTC) def. Alamantas Ozelis/Aleh Drobysh (APSU) 6-1
2. Christian Edison/Timo Kiesslich (APSU) def. Pablo Llebeili/Luke Plaisted (UTC) 6-4
3. Jacob Marshall/Cooper Long (UTC) def. Chad Woodham/Evan Bottorff (APSU) 6-4

Singles competition
1. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) def. Alamantas Ozelis (APSU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3
2. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) def. Christian Edison (APSU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Luke Plaisted (UTC) def. Timo Kiesslich (APSU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Aleh Drobysh (APSU) def. Jacob Marshall (UTC) 2-6, 7-6, 7-5
5. Cooper Long (UTC) def. Chad Woodham (APSU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
6. Jacob Lorino (APSU) def. Michael Birnbaum (UTC) 6-3, 7-5

Match Notes
Chattanooga 2-2
Austin Peay 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,2,1,4,5,6)

Abilene Christian 6, Chattanooga 1
Jan 28, 2018 at Hardin, Ky. (Kenlake Tennis Center)
Doubles competition
1. Jonathan Sheehy/Josh Sheehy (ACU) def. Michael Birnbaum/Niklas Gerdes (UTC) 6-2
2. Pablo Llebeili/Luke Plaisted (UTC) def. Paul M.Domanski/Cole Lawson (ACU) 7-5
3. Henry Adams/Brad Gleason (ACU) def. Jacob Marshall/Cooper Long (UTC) 6-4

Singles competition
1. Josh Sheehy (ACU) def. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) 6-2, 6-2
2. Jonathan Sheehy (ACU) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) 6-3, 6-2
3. Niko Moceanu (ACU) def. Luke Plaisted (UTC) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7)
4. Jacob Marshall (UTC) def. Henry Adams (ACU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Paul M.Domanski (ACU) def. Cooper Long (UTC) 6-0, 6-2
6. Joaquin Delgado (ACU) def. Michael Birnbaum (UTC) 6-1, 6-2

Match Notes
Abilene Christian 6-5
Chattanooga 2-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,1,4,3,5,6)
T-3:40