March 30, 2012

Golden Eagles on the road this weekend for two OVC matches

The Tennessee Tech tennis team will be on the road this weekend for a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matches, visiting Tennessee State Saturday and Jacksonville State on Sunday.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Much is at stake this weekend when the Tennessee Tech tennis team hits the road for a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matches. Currently 3-0 in the conference and tied for first place with Austin Peay, the Golden Eagles will play at Tennessee State Saturday at 11 a.m. and visit Jacksonville State Sunday for a 10 a.m. contest.

Results of both matches will be posted on TTUsports.com as soon as they become available from the host schools.

Tech has won four consecutive matches to improve its overall record to 5-7, but three of those have been at home against Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State and Murray State.

Tennessee State is struggling this season, but JSU appears to have found the secret and has won five matches in a row. The Gamecocks come into the weekend with an 8-9 overall record and are just behind Tech in the OVC standings with a 3-1 mark.

Tech has enjoyed unblemished success through the years against Tennessee State. The Golden Eagles are a 25-0 all-time against the Tigers, winning the past 14 times by 7-0 scores. In fact, Tech has only dropped two sets againt TSU, owning a 169-2 record n the rivalry. The Tigers are 0-4 this season in the league.

JSU, however, should provide a much tougher battle Sunday. Tech is 6-5 all-time against the Gamecocks, winning the last two including a 5-2 decision last year in Alabama.

The match presents an interesting matchup, as each team has seen much success in completely different singles positions.

JSU is led by Igor Sansos and Nemed Marcec at the Nos. 2 and 3 positions. Each is 13-3 this season and 4-0 in OVC matches. Jordan Conley is 8-4 at No. 4 singles for JSU.

Tech's most wins have come from Syrym Abduhkalikov at the No. 1 spot, Justin Kirstein at No. 5 and Alejandro Augusto at No. 3.