Cats Gut Out Win vs. ETSU

Friday, January 27

Colorado Springs, CO

Noon

Abilene Christian

East Tennessee State

Box Score

1/27/2023 8:08:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Ray Fink

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Abilene Christian extended its winning streak to three matches with a grueling 4-3 win over East Tennessee State on Friday.

"That was a tough match and a good win against a good opponent," said ACU Head Coach Juan Nunez. "They are consistently a top-60 team and our guys competed incredibly."

The Wildcats fell behind in doubles before Dario Kmet and Cesar Barranquero evened things with a 7-5 win at No. 1 doubles. Daniel Morozov and Jose Maria Rastrojo clinched the doubles point, gutting out a 7-6 win at No. 2.

"Winning doubles is going to be huge every match," Nunez said. "That was the difference today."

ACU clinched the team win with two singles matches remaining but there was some drama. Barranquero won in quick fashion at the third line and Daniel Morozov got a tough, straight-set win at No. 2 to put the Wildcats ahead, 3-1.

ETSU closed to within 3-2 and had a first-set win in No. 1 singles before Kmet stormed back to win the last two sets for a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory to seal the team win.

"There was a different kind of pressure today and our guys handled it well," Nunez said. "ETSU lost in the finals of the Sun Belt last year."

The Wildcats return to action in Colorado Springs on Friday, taking on Montana at 11 a.m., Central time.