#14 Vols Sweep Alabama State, 4-0, Reach NCAA Second Round

Saturday, May 3

1 PM

University of Tennessee

Alabama State

#14 Vols Sweep Alabama State, 4-0, Reach NCAA Second Round

May 03, 2025 | Men's Tennis

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 14th-seeded Tennessee men's tennis team swarmed Alabama State to post a 4-0 victory in the first round of the NCAA Team Championship on Saturday afternoon at Goodfriend Tennis Center.

The Vols (21-8) were quick to secure the doubles point over the Hornets (15-11). Shunsuke Mitsui and Alan Jesudason kicked things off with a commanding 6-1 win on court two, taking down Alexandre Verlaguet and Matis Amier. Moments later, James Newton and Lance Nisbet followed with a 6-1 triumph over Lun Obrul and Gordan Fran Mileusnic on court three to give the Big Orange a 1-0 lead. The ninth-ranked pairing of Alex Kotzen and Alejandro Moreno was up 5-3 on court one before going unfinished.

In singles play, UT kept its momentum up and took five first sets against ASU. Jose Garcia notched the first win in 6-1, 6-2 fashion over Obrul at the No. 3 spot, giving the Vols a 2-0 advantage. Ian Cruz dominated Eloi Roux on court six, 6-0, 6-1, extending his singles win streak to six matches. Jesudason sealed the deal with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory over Amier at the No. 4 spot.

OPENING ROUND SUCCESS
For the past seven years, Tennessee has won the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Vols are now 22-3 in the NCAA Championship First Round and are hoping to extend their streak of making it to a Super Regional to six straight years tomorrow.

ALAN HITS 50
Senior Alan Jesudason picked up the 50th singles win of his career on Saturday, clinching the match against the Hornters. The Berwyn, Pennsylvania, native also secured the seventh victory of the dual season with this achievement, and Jesudason has been a huge help for the Vols on the doubles side as well.

CRUZ CONTROLLING THE NO. 6 SPOT
Ian Cruz picked up another decisive singles victory today on the No. 6 court, extending his win-streak to six. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native has been rock solid in the backend of the season, posting an 8-2 record in his 10 completed contests.

UP NEXT
Tennessee will face No. 17 Duke in the second round of the NCAA Team Championship on Sunday, May 3. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. ET at Barksdale Stadium.

RESULTS
Doubles
1. #9 Alex Kotzen/Alejandro Moreno (TENN) vs. Alexandre Verlaguet/Matis Amier (ASU) 5-3, unfinished
2. Shunsuke Mitsui/Alan Jesudason (TENN) def. David Grandinot/Matteo Lataste (ASU) 6-1
3. James Newton/Lance Nisbet (TENN) def. Lun Obrul/Gordan Mileusnic (ASU) 6-1

Order of Finish: 2,3

Singles
1. #23 Alex Kotzen (TENN) vs. David Grandinot (ASU) 6-2, 4-4, unfinished
2. #29 Shunsuke Mitsui (TENN) vs. Alexandre Verlaguet (ASU) 6-4, 3-3, unfinished
3. Jose Garcia (TENN) def. Lun Obrul (ASU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Alan Jesudason (TENN) def. Matis Amier (ASU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Jan Kobierski (TENN) vs. Gordan Mileusnic (ASU) 1-6, 6-3, 2-1, unfinished
6. Ian Cruz (TENN) def. Eloi Roux (ASU) 6-0, 6-1

Order of Finish: 3,6,4

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