The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team closed out the 2019 regular season with a 4-3 win at UNCG today.  The Mocs improved to 14-10 overall, their best record since the 2012 season.  Chattanooga also wrapped up the No. 3 seed at next week's Southern Conference Tournament with a 4-3 mark in league action.

"This was a day full of adversity," stated UTC head coach Chuck Merzbacher.  "The match was originally scheduled for Noon, but we didn't get on the court until 6:00 p.m. The indoor courts were definitely to their advantage and they looked very comfortable on them."

Chattanooga swept the opening doubles point.  Sophomore Luke Plaisted took the court in a conference match for the first time in a month, teaming with senior Pablo Llebeili at No. 3.  The scored a 6-3 win over Cooper Wyett and Roger Rogowski.

Junior Simon Bustamante and freshman Kerim Hyatt clinched the point with a 6-3 win at No. 1 over Ollie Palmer and Nico Grewe.  Junior Niklas Gerdes and freshman Tomas Rodriguez completed the sweep with a 6-2 win over Hugh Knapp and Jack Burkill at No. 2. 

"The doubles point was huge and I thought all three teams played their best today," added Merzbacher. 

Singles was a battle with UNCG taking the next two points at No. 4 and No. 2.  Bustamante snapped a three match slide with a (6-2, 7-5) win over Jack Burkill at No. 5.  Hyatt gave UTC a 3-2 advantage with a win over Knapp at No. 3 [6-2, 7-6 (7-3)].  It was his third victory in a row, improving to 14-10 in the spring and 5-2 in SoCon action. 

The Spartans tied the score with a win at No. 6, leaving Gerdes on the court in a thrilling three-setter to decide the match.  He dropped the opening frame against Palmer and needed a tiebreaker in the second to keep the match alive.  He went on to take the third 6-4 for the win (3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4).  Gerdes moved to 16-7 at No. 1 with a 5-2 mark in league action. 

"We keep getting different guys to step up, and this time Simon and Kerim who set up Niklas to clinch," added Merzbacher.  "The tennis at No. 1 was high level and Nik was awesome!"

This is the most league wins for the Mocs since going 6-4 in 2013.  It is the best finish in the SoCon's regular season race since placing third in 1999. 

"As far as wrapping up the regular season, this program has come a long way in 20 months and I cannot be more proud of them," continued Merzbacher.  "We earned everything we got and to be a top four seed at the SoCon Tourney with a 14-10 overall record against a challenging schedule has made it quite the year for these kids."

The Mocs open the SoCon Tournament in Macon, Ga., on Thursday, April 18, against the host Bears.  A link for live scoring will be available on the men's tennis schedule page on GoMocs.com. 

Chattanooga 4, UNCGM 3
04/13/2019 at Greensboro, N.C. (Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Niklas Gerdes (UTC) def. Ollie Palmer (UNCG) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
2. Nico Grewe (UNCG) def. Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) 6-4, 6-4
3. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) def. Hugh Knapp (UNCG) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Roger Rogowski (UNCG) def. Luke Plaisted (UTC) 6-0, 6-3
5. Simon Bustamante (UTC) def. Jack Burkill (UNCG) 6-2, 7-5
6. Ian Melnik (UNCG) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) 7-6 (7-4), 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Kerim Hyatt/Simon Bustamante (UTC) def. Ollie Palmer/Nico Grewe (UNCG) 6-3
2. Niklas Gerdes/Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) def. Hugh Knapp/Jack Burkill (UNCG) 6-2
3. Luke Plaisted/Pablo Llebeili (UTC) def. Cooper Wyett/Roger Rogowski (UNCG) 6-3

Match Notes
Chattanooga 14-10, 4-3 SoCon
UNCG 7-14, 1-6 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,2,5,3,6,1)
Singles order of finish: 4,2,5,3,6,1
Doubles order of finish: 3,1,2