The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team closed out the 2021 Southern Conference season with a big 5-2 win at UNC Greensboro today. The Mocs improved their record to 8-11 overall and 3-4 in SoCon action, while the Spartans fell to 3-12 and 1-6 in league play.

"I am really proud of this group," stated UTC head coach Chuck Merzbacher. "They handled themselves so well in a tough road match. UNCG has been playing well and getting a win on their turf was huge. This was a team win for sure!"

Chattanooga won the opening doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2.  Sophomore Tomas Rodriguez and freshman Peyton Gatti defeated Nico Grewe and Ollie Palmer 6-3 in the top match.  UNCG took No. 3 but senior Turner Voges and sophomore Simon Labbe grabbed the opening point with a 6-4 win over Alexander Zuckerman and Christopher Johns at No. 2.

Freshman Jeffrey Dewald put the Mocs up 2-0 with a (6-1, 6-2) win over Eric Whisnant at No. 6.  UNCG closed the gap to 2-1 with a win at No. 2, but UTC clinched the team victory with wins at No. 4 and No. 3.

Labbe defeated Zuckerman (6-2, 6-3) in the fourth spot, while sophomore Kerim Hyatt beat Hugh Knapp (6-3, 6-4). After UNCG won at No. 5, Rodriguez closed out the dual with a three-set victory over Palmer (2-6, 6-2, 7-5) at No. 1. 

"The doubles point was super important, and we got it done," added Merzbacher. "Tomas and Peyton to go 6-1 in this conference at No. 1 doubles is quite the achievement! Tomas going 4-3 at No. 1 singles is very hard to do in this league and he has a lot to build on!"

Up next for the Mocs is the season finale against Covenant College on Tuesday, April 20.  Chattanooga celebrates Senior Day at the UTC Tennis Center at 3:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) against the Scots.  Be sure to check back to GoMocs.com for a full preview and updates on COVID-19 attendance restrictions. 

Chattanooga 5, UNCG 2
4/17/2021 at Greensboro, N.C. (UNCG Tennis Courts)
Doubles competition
1. Tomas Rodriguez/Peyton Gatti (UTC) def. Nico Grewe/Ollie Palmer (UNCG) 6-3
2. Simon Labbe/Turner Voges (UTC) def. Alexander Zuckerman/Christopher Johns (UNCG) 6-4
3. Roger Rogowski/Cooper Wyett (UNCG) def. Kerim Hyatt/Jeffrey Dewald (UTC) 6-2

Singles competition
1. Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) def. Ollie Palmer (UNCG) 2-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. Nico Grewe (UNCG) def. Turner Voges (UTC) 7-5, 6-1
3. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) def. Hugh Knapp (UNCG) 6-3, 6-4
4. Simon Labbe (UTC) def. Alexander Zuckerman (UNCG) 6-2, 6-3
5. Roger Rogowski (UNCG) def. Peyton Gatti (UTC) 6-4, 7-5
6. Jeffrey Dewald (UTC) def. Eric Whisnant (UNCG) 6-1, 6-2

Match Notes
Chattanooga 8-11, 3-4 SoCon
UNCG 3-12, 1-6 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,2,4,3,5,1)