The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis team had a solid showing in doubles play at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championship Presented by Oracle today. The Mocs won two of three doubles matches in main draw action in Knoxville, Tenn.
Senior Nic Wilson and freshman Simon Bustamante posted an 8-5 win against Eastern Kentucky's Romain Stoffels and Colin Hart. Junior Michael Birnbaum and Max Grobbelaar followed with an 8-7 victory against Austin Peay's Manuel Montenegro and James Mitchell.
Wilson's win was a good sign for the senior who missed most of last season with an injury.
"I am proud of the way Nic Wilson played today," stated head coach Carlos Garcia. "For him to get a win in his first match back is definitely a positive sign."
Birnbaum had the best outing of the day in singles. He pushed Indiana's Stefan Lugonjic to three sets before falling (6-1, 2-6, 6-1).
Wilson and Bustamante open tomorrow's play against Tennessee's top-seeded duo of Luis Valero and Jack Schipanski at 8:00 a.m. (E.D.T.). Grobbelaar and Birnbaum face Kentucky's No. 3 seed of Beck Pennington and Enzo Wallart at the same time. All singles competitors are in the consolation bracket that begins at 10:30 a.m.
Bracket updates are available on the men's tennis schedule page on GoMocs.com. Be sure to check back for a full recap at the end of the day.
Doubles
Simon Bustamante/Nic Wilson (UTC) def. Romain Stoffels/Colin Hart (EKU) – 8-5
Max Grobbelaar/Michael Birnbaumn (UTC) def. Manuel Montenegro/James Mitchell (APSU) – 8-7
Philippe Courteau/Victor Chaw (Lipscomb) def. Paul LaHue/Austin Boaz (UTC) – 8-3
Singles
Guillem Sanchis (EKU) def. Max Grobbelaar (UTC) – 6-1, 6-3
Aviv Ben Shabat (Butler) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) – 6-1, 6-2
Almantas Ozelis (APSU) def. Simon Bustamante (UTC) – 6-3, 6-1
Stefan Lugonjic (Indiana) def. Michael Birnbaum (UTC) – 6-1, 2-6, 6-1
Lope Adelakun (Butler) def. Austin Boaz (UTC) – 6-2, 6-2
No. 14 Antonio Cembellin (Indiana) def. Paul LaHue (UTC) – 6-2, 6-0