Tennis Struggles Against UTC

In another grueling early season match, the #4 Brenau tennis team fell to NCAA Division I University of Tennessee-Chattanooga 7-0 on Friday in Chattanooga.

In doubles play, the Golden Tigers lost at #1 and #3, but the team of Paula Rives Palau and Patricia Recalde Pacua won their match at #2 8-7 (7-3).

However, the host Moccasins clinched the match in the eight-game pro-set format with losses at #6, #4 and #5 singles.

According to head coach Andre Ferreira, the experience against the NCAA Division I program is all about improving for the duration of the season.

"Winning any spot against a D1 team such as UTC is a difficult task," said Ferreira. "Patricia (Recalde Pacua) and Paula (Rives Palau) pulled off a good win at doubles No. 2. And Maya (Mammetgulyyeva) once again played solid tennis. It's exciting to see her consistent performance at No. 1 singles for three consecutive matches against tough opponents."

"We are moving in the right direction. I am excited with the progress, a few adjustments we are making, and I look forward to our first NAIA matches next week."

Brenau (0-4 overall) next travels to play SCAD-Savannah (RV) on Thursday at 2 pm in Savannah.

Chattanooga 7, Brenau 0
Feb 10, 2017 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Strang-Voges Tennis Center)
Doubles competition
1. Samantha Caswell/Rachele Gazzola (UTC) def. Maya Mammetgulyyeva/Rebecca Pijls (BRE) 8-5
2. P. Rives Palau/P. Recalde Pacua (BRE) def. Delaney Edwards/Mckenzie Barco (UTC) 8-7 (7-3)
3. Sydney Patton/Caroline Hall (UTC) def. Kirsten Dickins/Elizabeth Bielicki (BRE) 8-1

Singles competition
1. Samantha Caswell (UTC) def. Maya Mammetgulyyeva (BRE) 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-6)
2. Delaney Edwards (UTC) def. Rebecca Pijls (BRE) 6-2, 6-1
3. Caroline Hall (UTC) def. P. Recalde Pacua (BRE) 6-2, 6-1
4. Sydney Patton (UTC) def. Kirsten Dickins (BRE) 6-1, 6-1
5. Rachele Gazzola (UTC) def. P. Rives Palau (BRE) 6-1, 6-1
6. Mckenzie Barco (UTC) def. Elizabeth Bielicki (BRE) 6-0, 6-0

Match Notes
Brenau 0-4
Chattanooga 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,4,5*,2,3,1)