The UTM men's tennis team has developed a knack for playing with plenty of intensity.

Head coach Dennis Taylor said the intensity factor was the difference in recent matches against Alabama A&M and Austin Peay.

The Skyhawks defeated Alabama A&M 4-0 and Austin Peay 6-1. "We saw Alabama A&M beat Austin Peay, so we knew they were going to be tough," Taylor said.

Taylor also knew Austin Peay was going to be a much improved conference opponent than in previous years. Once Taylor saw his No. 1 singles player, Marten Tamla, rally to defeat Austin Peay's Nabil Labahedi, he knew his Skyhawks had an edge.

"Marten trailed early in his match, but he picked up his intensity to win and then he carried it over and won the next set easily.

Tamla recorded a 7-5, 6-1 win over Labahedi. Tennessee-Martin's Gustavo Anzola, Olti Mollymeri, Lucas Tregansin and Danny McGuire also claimed singles wins over Austin Peay.

The Skyhawks claimed the doubles point when Tamla and Gustavo Anzola defeated Labahedi and Jeffrey Albeut 8-2, and Mollymeri and Adolfo Anzola defeated Wes Pancho and Jono Pinho 8-3. To win the doubles point a team must win two of the three matches.

"Intensity has become a characteristic of this team, and it tilted the scales in our favor during these two matches," Taylor said.

Gustavo Anzola played No. 1 singles against Alabama A&M and claimed a 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 win over Sammy Muriuiki. Mollymeri won his No. 2 singles match, while Tregansin won at No. 3. The Skyhawks also won the doubles point to complete the 4-0 shutout.

The Skyhawks are now 4-2 this year and 3-2 this spring.