The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 Southern Conference match to Mercer at the UTC Tennis Center today.  The loss drops the Mocs to 7-11 overall and 2-4 in SoCon play.  The Bears improved to 11-12 overall and 4-2 in league play. 

"Too be honest, this was a heartbreaking loss," stated head coach Chuck Merzbacher. "Everyone came to play. Doubles point was strong for us. We had some chances to close out some matches and really credit Mercer, they never went away. We knew, most likely, this was the match that would decide if we go to the SoCon tourney. Everyone gave it all and left it out there."

UTC took the opening doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2.  Sophomore Tomas Rodriguez and freshman Peyton Gatti opened with a 6-2 win over Hugo Lobo and Lucas Wayenburg.  Mercer won at No. 3 but senior Turner Voges and sophomore Simon Labbe clinched the point with a 6-4 win over Carver Arant and David Georgadze at No. 2.

UTC jumped out to a 3-0 lead when junior Jacob Marshall scored a (6-2, 6-2) win over Samuel Barrow at No. 6 and Rodriguez beat Lobo (6-3, 6-2) at No. 1.  That was the last of the scoring for the Mocs with Mercer taking the final four singles matches. 

Up next for the Mocs is the Southern Conference regular season finale at UNCG on Saturday, April 17.  Match time is set for 12:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Greensboro, N.C.  UTC also has another non-conference match on the slate against Covenant College on Tuesday, April 20.  Match time for Senior Day is set for 3:00 p.m. at the UTC Tennis Center.

Mercer 4, Chattanooga 3
4/11/2021 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (UTC Tennis Center)
Doubles competition
1. Tomas Rodriguez/Peyton Gatti (UTC) def. Hugo Lobo/Lucas Wayenburg (MER) 6-2
2. Turner Voges/Simon Labbe (UTC) def. Carver Arant/David Georgadze (MER) 6-4
3. Michael Durham/Samuel Barrow (MER) def. Kerim Hyatt/Kaisei Kuroki (UTC) 6-3

Singles competition
1. Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) def. Hugo Lobo (MER) 6-3, 6-2
2. Lucas Wayenburg (MER) def. Turner Voges (UTC) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Carver Arant (MER) def. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
4. David Georgadze (MER) def. Simon Labbe (UTC) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Michael Durham (MER) def. Jeffrey Dewald (UTC) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. Jacob Marshall (UTC) def. Samuel Barrow (MER) 6-2, 6-2

Match Notes
Mercer 11-12, 4-2 SoCon
Chattanooga 7-11, 2-4 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,1,3,4,5,2)
T-2:40