The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team dropped a 6-1 match at the College of Charleston today.  UTC took on doubles and one singles before falling to 9-7 on the spring.  The Cougars improved to 13-2 overall.

Doubles was much closer than the singles play, with the opening point a battle.  CofC took the No. 2 match, but junior Simon Bustamante and freshman Kerim Hyatt scored a 6-3 win at No. 1. 

Senior Pablo Llebeili and sophomore Luke Plaisted were up 5-4, but could not convert two match points at No. 3.  They eventually lost to Ben Cawseon and Robby Krick (7-5). 

"It was a very close doubles point with two match points returning at No. 3 to clinch the doubles point," stated head coach Chuck Merzbacher.  I thought they played a great match and did all the right the things out there."

UTC's lone win in singles came at No. 2 from freshman Tomas Rodriguez.  He defeated Easton Thomas [4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (6)] in a comeback, three-setter.  It was his ninth win in a row as he improved to 12-4 at No. 2 in the spring. 

"We had some tough match ups in a few spots in singles, however we had some chances in other spots to get back in this match but C of C played well at every spot," added Merzbacher. 

"We have an important conference match coming up at The Citadel and know this guys will bounce back and be ready for our opening SoCon match.  I'm proud of how we are competing across the board and we are simply going to be in a lot of tough matches for the rest of the year!" 

Up next for the Mocs is their Southern Conference opener at The Citadel on Sunday.  Action takes place at the Bulldogs' Jack Adams Tennis Center at 10:00 a.m. (E.D.T.). 

College of Charleston 6, Chattanooga 1
3/14/2019 at Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Patriots Point)
Singles competition
1. Benedikt Henning (COFC) def. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) 6-1, 6-1
2. Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) def. Easton Thomas (COFC) 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6)
3. Ben Cawston (COFC) def. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) 6-4, 6-3
4. Johnny Wang (COFC) def. Simon Bustamante (UTC) 6-4, 6-4
5. Ksawery Pociej (COFC) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) 6-0, 6-2
6. Andre Limon (COFC) def. Jacob Marshall (UTC) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Kerim Hyatt/Simon Bustamante (UTC) def. Easton Thomas/Ksawery Pociej (COFC) 6-3
2. #54 Benedikt Henning/Johnny Wang (COFC) def. Niklas Gerdes/Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) 6-1
3. Ben Cawston/Robby Krick (COFC) def. Pablo Llebeili/Luke Plaisted (UTC) 7-5

Match Notes
Chattanooga 9-7
College of Charleston 13-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,5,3,4,6,2)
T-2:30 A-35