CHATTANOOGA --- The fourth-seeded Chattanooga Mocs men's tennis team rode momentum after a thrilling doubles point to cruise past fifth-seeded Wofford 4-1 on Thursday afternoon at the Champions Club in Chattanooga in the 2022 Southern Conference Championship quarterfinal round.
 
Following the win, Chattanooga improves to 6-15 this season and advances to tomorrow's semifinal round to face top-seeded ETSU at 2 p.m. ET. Wofford ends the season 9-13 overall.
 
With the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in doubles splitting, it allowed for a showdown at No. 1 after Tomas Rodriguez and Peyton Gatti fell into an early 4-1 hole. The ITA Ohio Valley Regional runner-ups grinded their way to a thrilling 7-6 (9-7) tiebreaking victory to give UTC a 1-0 lead.
 
"There were some amazing clutch doubles for the Mocs as No. 3 held down their spot as No. 1 had to fight back from down 4-1 to take a tiebreak set for an all-important doubles point," said head coach Chuck Merzbacher after the match.
 
"That momentum was huge."
 
Jordan McClure kicked off singles play with the first victory for the squad, 6-2, 6-4, to put the Mocs ahead 2-0. Wofford made it 2-1 at No. 4 before Kerim Hyatt (7-5, 6-0) and Tomas Rodriguez (6-2, 6-4) sealed the deal at No. 2 and No. 1, respectively.
 
"I'm so proud of these guys as they held off a strong Wofford team, and closed off some important first and second sets. We are excited to play ETSU in the semis – we had a battle with them earlier this season in Johnson City," added coach Merzbacher.
 
A full preview of the weekend's championship tournament can be found by clicking HERE.
 
Chattanooga 4, Wofford 1
4/20/2022 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (The Champions Club)
SINGLES
1. Tomas Rodriguez (UTC) def. Ashe Ray (WOFM) 6-2, 6-4
2. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) def. Callum Rendle (WOFM) 7-5, 6-0
3. Simon Labbe (UTC) vs. Robert Young (WOFM) 6-2, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
4. Mark Endler (WOFM) def. Peyton Gatti (UTC) 6-3, 6-4
5. Jordan McClure (UTC) def. Alex Horn (WOFM) 6-2, 6-4
6. Ryan Mudre (UTC) vs. Will Fullett (WOFM) 6-2, 4-6, 2-0, unfinished
 
DOUBLES
1. Tomas Rodriguez/Peyton Gatti (UTC) def. Mark Endler/Will Fullett (WOFM) 7-6 (9-7)
2. Bryce Keim/Callum Rendle (WOFM) def. Kerim Hyatt/Kaisei Kuroki (UTC) 6-2
3. Simon Labbe/Jordan McClure (UTC) def. Ashe Ray/Alex Horn (WOFM) 7-5
 
MATCH NOTES
Wofford 9-13
Chattanooga 6-15
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,4,2,1)
Southern Conference Championships - Men's Quarterfinal
(4) Chattanooga vs. (5) Wofford
 
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