Antuña leads Troy at Chattanooga Invitational

Friday, September 14

Chattanooga, Tenn.

All Day

Troy University

Chattanooga Invitational

Antuña leads Troy at Chattanooga Invitational

9/17/2018 10:07:00 AM | Tennis (M)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Troy men's tennis kicked off the season at the Chattanooga Invitational, where sophomore Antonio Selma saw action in singles play, while sophomores Andy Romero and Pelayo Antuna saw action in singles and doubles matches.

Romero did not find an approach against Taisei Miyamoto from ETSU on the first day, as the sophomore lost 6-2. 6-2. Antuña played against Jeremy Taylor from Memphis and earned a win in two sets, 7-5 in the first set and 6-3 in the second. Selma lost his first match to Turner Voges from Memphis in three-hour thriller, 7-6, 6-7. In the quarterfinals, Antuña faced Miaymoto again and was able to get the win in two sets, 6-3, 6-3. In the doubles play, duo of Romero and Antuña lost to Rodriguez and Marshall. However, they were able to get a win against Garcia and Silva, 7-5. Romero was tied close against Luke Plaisted in the first set, and was leading 6-3 on the tiebreak, when he was forced to retire.

On the second day of Chattanooga Invitational, Antuña was able to beat Jan Paralles(Memphis) with a score of, 7-6 and 6-4. Romero claimed another win against Pablo Llebelli (UTC), 7-6, 7-5. In the doubles semifinal, Antuña/Romero won duo from ETSU 6-4,but fell in a close match in the backdraw final to Pasini/Vargos (UAB), 6-4. In the singles finals, Troy sophomore faced another player from Memphis, Patrick Sydow. Despite the hard start in the first set (6-2), Antuña was able to bounce back and win the second one 6-2. In the final set, Antuña won 10-8 to claim the singles title at the Chattanooga Invitational. Selma saw action against Mark Papadopoulos from ETSU, where he lost in two close sets, 6-4 and 7-6.

Quotable - Troy head coach Rolando Vargas
"It was a really good tournament to see how some of the Trojans compete under pressure," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "There were some strong teams, so we had to step up in the big points. Also, a lot of matches were played throughout the weekend and we had to be physically and mentally tough. Selma and Andy showed quality tennis and fighting spirit. Yet, there are some aspects they need to keep working on to rely more on what they can control."

"For Pelayo Antuña, I believed this was a great way to start the fall so that he can keep the momentum for the regionals. He can play against anybody in the nation and he probed it by beating four quality opponents, including the top players from Memphis. He was very poised and played under his terms in the key points which ultimately was the difference. He has the ability to play his best when it matters the most. We have to keep getting better because there are more tournaments ahead or us."

First Day Singles Results
Pelayo Antuna(Troy) - BYE
Taisei Miyamoto (ETSU) def. Andy Romero (Troy) – 6-2, 6-2
Pelayo Antuna(Troy) def. Jeremy Taylor (Mem) – 7-5, 6-3
Turner Voges(Mem) def. Antonio Selma (Troy) – 7-6, 7-6
Mark Papadopoulos (ETSU) def. Antonio Selma (Troy) – 6-4, 7-6
Pelayo Antuna (Troy) def Taisei Miyamoto (ETSU) – 6-3, 6-3
Luke Plaisted (UTC) def. Andy Romero (Troy) – 7-6, ret.

First Day Doubles Results
Rodriguez/Marshall def. Antuña/Romero (Troy) – 6-2
Antuña/Romero (Troy) def. Garcia/Silva (TTU) – 7-5

Second Day Singles Results
Pelayo Antuna(Troy) def. Jan Pallares (Mem) – 7-5, 6-4
Andy Romero(Troy) def. Pablo Llebeili(UTC) - 7-6, 7-5

Second Day Doubles Results (Consolation Finals)
Antuña/Romero (Troy) def. Mikrovas/Papadopoulos (ETSU) – 6-4

Third Day Singles Results (Singles Finals)
Pelayo Antuna(Troy) def. Patrick Sydow (Mem) – 2-6, 6-2, 10-8

Third Day Doubles Results (Backdraw Finals)
Pasini/Vargas (UAB) def. Antuña/Romero (Troy) – 6-4