Raiders finish third and fourth fall events

Friday, September 29

Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Adams Tennis Complex

All Day

Middle Tennessee

Coach LaLance Showdown

10/3/2017 2:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Luis Morillo Diaz advances far in Tulsa

By: @MTAthletics

MT vs. Tennessee State results
MT vs. Belmont results
MT vs. Troy results
ITA All-American results

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee men's tennis is over halfway through the 2017 fall schedule now after the completion of the Dick LaLance Showdown and the ITA All-American over the weekend.

Gian Issa leads the Blue Raiders in singles wins with a record of 8-1 after competing in three tournaments, including three wins at the top of the lineup at the Dick LaLance Showdown last weekend at the Adams Tennis Complex. Nicolas Buitrago Machado also enjoyed an undefeated weekend in singles for the Blue Raiders.

"Gian and Nicolas had a great weekend," MT assistant coach Sebastian Rey said. "They really stepped up when they needed to. Gian showed true senior leadership this weekend, and Nicolas also stepped up to the adversity too."

Chris Edge earned a 6-0, 6-1 win over Tennessee State on Friday, but dropped his match against Belmont Saturday morning. Edge and Jacob Pugh were unable to play on Sunday due to injury, and Pugh also missed the match on Saturday.

At the ITA All-American in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Luis Morillo Diaz represented the Blue Raiders well, winning two singles matches and finishing in the Round of 32. Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore won over opponents from Fresno State and Oklahoma State before falling in the Round of 64 on Sunday. Despite losing their first matches in the singles tournament on Saturday, Tom Moonen, Max Rauch and Miguel Negre Fernandez all claimed wins on Sunday in a consolation round.

Morell and Moonen were turned back by a pair from Western Michigan in the first round of the Qualifying Doubles tournament, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 8-10.

After a weekend off from matches, MT will compete in the Louisville Scramble on Oct. 13-15 in the final tune-up before the ITA Ohio Valley Regional in Knoxville.

"The point of emphasis for us right now is to take care of the controllables and take care of our bodies. This is the time of year when the boys are really working hard, so they'll need to look after themselves so they're prepared for matches physically and mentally," Rey added.