Tennessee tennis got back in the win column and did so with a ranked win.
The Vols posted a 4-3 win over No. 17 Michigan State (4-2). Tennessee needed a win in this matchup, coming in as the underdog after dropping its match against Michigan last week.
Here’s how Tennessee (5-2) got back to its winning ways.
Photo finish in doubles
Tennessee won its first doubles point in the last four matches, taking home a nail biter against the Spartans. Two matches went to the tiebreaker, with the Vols winning both to secure the win.
The first point of the night went to Michigan State, beating James Newton and Jan Kobierski. The Vols’ pair fell behind early, dropping 0-3 to start the day. Despite a late comeback attempt, they fell short, losing 6-3.
With their backs against the wall early, the Vols responded.
With all eyes on them, Shunsuke Mitsui and Alan Jesudason managed to rip off three straight points after trailing 5-3. Michigan State grabbed their sixth point to tie the match at 6, forcing a tiebreaker.
The Vols’ pair decimated the Spartans in the tiebreaker, winning the final point. With the Vols and Spartans tied at 1, the doubles point came down to Court 3.
Alejandro Moreno and Alex Kotzen initially dominated, winning the first two points in the match. However, they let Michigan State back into the match, boasting a small 5-4 lead later in the match. It was back and forth, eventually going to a tiebreaker after the match was 6-6.
Like the match on Court 1, Moreno and Kotzen took control. They took the lead and never looked back, securing the doubles point for Tennessee.
“Early on in the season we’re trying to mix and match pairs together to give us the best chance at that doubles point,” associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “We want to have three quality teams.”
Garcia, Moreno dominant
Jose Garcia earned the first singles point of the night, beating Vuk Radjenovic in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-1. He jumped out to an early lead and played well out front, taking the first set by a large margin. He remained calm in the second set, posting an even more dominant second set to secure the win.
“Jose’s matches against Michigan and Illinois made him a little more prepared for this,” Lucas said. “He was used to the speed more and was able to get the guy to play how he wanted to.”
Moreno followed suit, finishing his match 6-3 and 6-0 over Taym Alazmeh. Once again, he took an early lead, playing a great set to take the first set. He followed it up with a near-flawless performance to take the sweep and put Tennessee up 3-0 in the match.
“It’s his third match back,” Lucas said. “He missed about six weeks of tennis and he’s going to continue to get better.”
Mitsui secures the win, moves into ninth for wins
Despite a rough start for Mitsui, falling behind 2-0, he roared back to steal the first set 6-4. In the second, he took the lead early, fending off a late comeback to put the match away for the Vols.
Mitsui’s win also moves him into ninth place for wins in program history, amassing 133 total.
“He’s a stud,” Lucas said. “He’s a rock and you know what you’re going to get from him. There’s no really highs and really lows, he’s just a steady guy and you know what you’re going to get.”
