CHARLESTON, S.C — The Chattanooga Mocs men's tennis team opened Southern Conference play with a 6-1 victory at The Citadel while head coach Chuck Merzbacher earned career head coaching win No. 500 in the process on Sunday afternoon in Charleston, S.C.
 
Following the win, Chattanooga improves to 11-4 overall and 1-0 inside league play. The Citadel moves to 9-16 overall and 2-2 in SoCon action this season.
 
Merzbacher, who is in his 34^th season as a collegiate head coach, earned win No. 500 after Sunday's victory over The Citadel. The 2019 SoCon Coach of the Year, Merzbacher came to UTC ahead of the 2018 season after spending 28 seasons between Northern Illinois (1990-92), Kansas (1993-96), Ohio State (1997-2012) and Minnesota (2012-17).
 
"This was a tough match across the board. Our guys held down the much needed doubles point, and hung in there in the opening sets to keep momentum," said Merzbacher following the win.
 
"The Citadel was on a two-match SoCon win streak and were ready for us today. I'm proud of the team finding a way. It's all about the team."

Chattanooga (11-4, 1-0 SoCon) returns to action on Friday, March 24, when the squad hosts ETSU for an 11 a.m. ET SoCon matchup at the UTC Tennis Courts. Live stats will be provided and can be found at GoMocs.com on the schedule page.
 
Chattanooga 6, The Citadel 1
3/19/2023 at Charleston, S.C. (Earle Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Kerim Hyatt (UTC) def. Hayden Shoemake (CIT) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
2. Simon Labbe (UTC) def. Zvonko Bencedic (CIT) 7-5, 4-6, 11-9
3. Gabriel Castillo (UTC) def. Lucas Robins (CIT) 6-4, 6-1
4. S. Kamieniecki (CIT) def. Peyton Gatti (UTC) 6-4, 7-5
5. Ryan Mudre (UTC) def. Ted Bagwell (CIT) 6-2, 6-3
6. Cortland Grove (UTC) def. Bradey Minnich (CIT) 7-6, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Simon Labbe/Peyton Gatti (UTC) def. Hayden Shoemake/S. Kamieniecki (CIT) 6-2
2. Kerim Hyatt/Kristof Kincses (UTC) def. Zvonko Bencedic/Ted Bagwell (CIT) 6-3
3. Ryan Mudre/Jordan McClure (UTC) def. Lucas Robins/Andrew Darby (CIT) 6-2
 
Match Notes
Chattanooga 11-4
The Citadel 9-16

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