Golden Eagle tennis claims 2022 OVC Tournament title with 4-1 win over top-seed Belmont
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team has reached the pinnacle yet again. The Golden Eagles are coming back to Cookeville as champions of the Ohio Valley Conference.
By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team has reached the pinnacle yet again. The Golden Eagles are coming back to Cookeville as champions of the Ohio Valley Conference.
In a battle pitting the top two seeds, No. 2 TTU reigned supreme behind a 4-1 over No.1 Belmont in Sunday's OVC Tournament championship match from the Wesselmann Tennis Center, punching the program's ticket to another NCAA Tournament in the process. Thanks to a stellar showing during singles play that featured victories in all four completed clashes, the Golden Eagles claimed their fifth OVC tourney title over the last six full seasons.
Overall, it's Tech's 11th OVC Tournament championship and first since 2019.
Tech's attempt at striking for revenge against the Bruins (14-5) after Belmont bested the purple and gold for the regular-season crown on Apr. 23 in Nashville didn't start on the right foot, as the Bruins jumped out to an early 1-0 edge after capturing the doubles point. The Tech tandem of Evzen Holis and Jun Sasagawa collected a 6-4 nod over Jack Randall and Arthur Toledo in the No. 2 affair, but Belmont boasted triumphs in the other two get-togethers to seize the point.
Diego Castro and Tomas Luis picked up a 6-3 win against Mika Berghaus and Elias Grubert in the top position and Alfred Wallin and Taisei Miyamoto notched a 6-4 decision over Carlos Vicente and Rafael Tosetto in the No. 3 slot.
Despite the initial setback, the Golden Eagles (8-12) showcased championship-level resiliency with victories in all four finished single duels, claiming each one in quartet of clashes in straight sets. Elias Grubert and Mika Berghaus set the tone at the top of the Tech lineup, with Grubert securing a 6-3, 7-5 win against Arthur Toledo in the No. 1 tangle and Berghaus registering a 6-0, 6-4 triumph over Tomas Luis in the No. 2 tussle.
Carlos Vicente followed suit behind a 6-4, 6-4 nod against Ian Cruz in the No. 3 meeting and Evzen Holis did his part with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over Diego Castro in the No. 5 showdown.
Rafael Tosetto's No. 4 duel with Alfred Wallin and Andre Rodeia's No. 6 matchup with Taisei Miyamoto did not conclude. Tosetto did manage to seize the first set 6-4, while Rodeia dropped the opener 6-4.
The Golden Eagles will not have to wait long to learn their opponent and destination in the NCAA Tournament, as the tourney's official selection show is set for Monday, May 2 at 5 p.m. CT. TTU Athletics will be hosting a viewing party free for all fans in the Eagles Nest on the fourth floor of the Hooper Eblen Center. Those attending are encouraged to be there by 4:30 p.m.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is slated to start on May 6 in a variety of on-campus sites.
