Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT Breaks Into ITA Rankings
2/17/2016 1:37:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Raiders ranked for first time in two years
SKILLMAN, N.J. – For the first time since Feb. 18, 2014, Middle Tennessee's men's tennis program is ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
The Blue Raiders are ranked No. 71 with a 7-2 record overall, including a 2-1 record over ranked opponents and a 6-1 mark at home.
"These guys have put in a lot of work and this ranking is evidence that hard work pays off," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "Our focus is to improve daily, and we are not chasing rankings this season."
MT is led in singles by freshman Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore, who boasts an 8-1 mark and an undefeated 2-0 record at No. 1. Fellow freshman Ayed Zatar Cordero and sophomore Miguel Negre Fernandez both have records of 7-1 in singles in the early going. Primarily playing at the No. 1 spot and reigning Conference USA Male Tennis Athlete of the Week Dima Zyhmantovich has a 6-2 record in singles.
In doubles play, the Blue Raiders are anchored by Morell and Zatar, who have teamed up to go 6-1 in doubles action so far this season. The combo of Negre and Jacob Pugh has been perfect thus far, 3-0.
"This group plays as a true team, and their support for one another has been unselfish the whole season," Borendame added.
Four of MT's six home wins have been shutout victories, while they only allowed one point in the other two home wins.
"We have to give credit to our Blue Raider fans as well, they have come out in droves to support us and we have an awesome new home court advantage," Borendame said of the MT faithful. "We owe our fans a lot of credit, as it's always more fun to play with a large crowd."
MT joins fellow C-USA programs No. 54 Old Dominion and No. 49 Rice in the top-75. Future opponent Columbia (Feb. 27) is currently No. 16 in this week's rankings, down one spot from last week.
The ITA is the governing body of college tennis, and puts out new rankings every Wednesday throughout the season. To see more rankings and information, click here.
The Blue Raiders are ranked No. 71 with a 7-2 record overall, including a 2-1 record over ranked opponents and a 6-1 mark at home.
"These guys have put in a lot of work and this ranking is evidence that hard work pays off," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "Our focus is to improve daily, and we are not chasing rankings this season."
MT is led in singles by freshman Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore, who boasts an 8-1 mark and an undefeated 2-0 record at No. 1. Fellow freshman Ayed Zatar Cordero and sophomore Miguel Negre Fernandez both have records of 7-1 in singles in the early going. Primarily playing at the No. 1 spot and reigning Conference USA Male Tennis Athlete of the Week Dima Zyhmantovich has a 6-2 record in singles.
In doubles play, the Blue Raiders are anchored by Morell and Zatar, who have teamed up to go 6-1 in doubles action so far this season. The combo of Negre and Jacob Pugh has been perfect thus far, 3-0.
"This group plays as a true team, and their support for one another has been unselfish the whole season," Borendame added.
Four of MT's six home wins have been shutout victories, while they only allowed one point in the other two home wins.
"We have to give credit to our Blue Raider fans as well, they have come out in droves to support us and we have an awesome new home court advantage," Borendame said of the MT faithful. "We owe our fans a lot of credit, as it's always more fun to play with a large crowd."
MT joins fellow C-USA programs No. 54 Old Dominion and No. 49 Rice in the top-75. Future opponent Columbia (Feb. 27) is currently No. 16 in this week's rankings, down one spot from last week.
The ITA is the governing body of college tennis, and puts out new rankings every Wednesday throughout the season. To see more rankings and information, click here.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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