The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team dropped a 4-0 match to Mercer in the opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament at the Champions Club in Chattanooga today.  The Mocs lost twice in doubles and the first four singles matches.

UTC falls to 8-16 overall, while the Bears advance to tomorrow's semifinals with a 16-6 mark.  Sophomore Niklas Gerdes was up in his No. 1 match against Sam Philip (6-4, 2-1) when Mercer clinched the team win. 

UTC's eight wins this season are the most for the program since 2012 and three more than last year's campaign.  First-year head coach Chuck Merzbacher returns his top six players for next season and only looses one senior on the roster.

Mercer 4, Chattanooga 0
04/20/2018 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Champions Club)
Doubles competition
1. Sam Philp/Olivier Stuart (MER-M) def. Simon Bustamante/Jacob Marshall (UTC) 6-1
2. Ruben Vanoppen/Nicolas Guillon (MER-M) vs. Niklas Gerdes/Luke Plaisted (UTC) 3-2, unfinished
3. Carver Arant/Fernando Guardia (MER-M) def. Paul LaHue/Cooper Long (UTC) 6-2

Singles competition
1. Sam Philp (MER-M) vs. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
2. Olivier Stuart (MER-M) def. Simon Bustamante (UTC) 6-2, 6-4
3. Nicolas Guillon (MER-M) vs. Luke Plaisted (UTC) 6-2, 1-2, unfinished
4. Fernando Guardia (MER-M) vs. Jacob Marshall (UTC) 6-4, 3-0, unfinished
5. Ruben Vanoppen (MER-M) def. Cooper Long (UTC) 6-1, 6-0
6. Carver Arant (MER-M) def. Paul LaHue (UTC) 6-2, 6-2

Match Notes
Chattanooga 8-16
Mercer 16-6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (5,6,2)
T-1:39