Raiders close season in C-USA semis

Saturday, April 22

Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Adams Tennis Complex

2 PM

Middle Tennessee

No. 40 Rice

4/22/2017 6:03:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Rice tops MT, 4-2

By: @MTAthletics

MT vs. Rice PDF Box
Championship Bracket
Championship Central

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – For the second consecutive season, Middle Tennessee men's tennis concluded its season in the semifinals of the Conference USA Championship, this time falling to Rice by a score of 4-2.

Rice edged the Blue Raiders on courts one and two in doubles, both with a score of 6-4, to take the first point in the match and give the Owls the advantage heading into singles play. MT juniors Gian Issa and Miguel Negre Fernandez took the first doubles match by a score of 6-2 at No. 3.

"There was a moment in the doubles where we were looking pretty good," MT head coach Jimmy Borendame said. "There was a moment when one of the Rice players amped himself up and took over. That was the big moment. We know we're solid in singles, but when they got that 1-0 lead going into the singles, that's like a punch in the stomach."

Singles action started with straight set wins by the Owls at No. 4 and 5 to extend the lead to 3-0. However, Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore put MT on the board with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at the top spot in the lineup.

Max Rauch closed the gap to 3-2 after his win at No. 6 in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

"Our season has somewhat mimicked Max this season," Borendame added. "In February when our season was going poorly, he wasn't playing well. He's really young, even for being a freshman. He impresses me with his talent. He's got some of the best hands and touch that I've ever seen."

At No. 3, Negre dropped the first set by a score of 4-6, and David Warren of Rice fought back in the second set to win in straight sets and clinch the 4-2 win for the Owls.

MT's Tom Moonen was unable to finish his match at No. 2 but was in a second set tiebreak for the win. His score was 6-2, 6-6 (4-4) when the match was halted.

With two juniors, three sophomores and three freshman, MT will return every player from this year's squad for a run at next year's conference title.

"I told the guys how proud of them I am and to see that this whole team is coming back," Borendame said of his guys. "I don't know that I've ever had that in my career. I don't know how many teams in the country can say that, and then on top of that I'm adding two good players. I told them to walk out of here with our heads high."

The Blue Raiders wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 12-14 mark, including four wins over C-USA foes. Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter, @MT_MensTennis, and like them on Facebook, MTSU Men's Tennis, for updates and information on the team throughout the offseason.