Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Edge's Enthusiasm Fuels MT's Early Season Success
3/20/2018 5:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Enthusiasm is a must in tennis. Without enthusiasm, you may as well just go ahead and walk off the court.
Playing at the collegiate level, enthusiasm is something everyone has. The big difference? Some have more than others.
As far as physically gifted athletes on the Middle Tennessee campus go, Chris Edge wouldn't strike most people as the guy they'd pick out of a lineup as a rare physical specimen. To be quite honest, he'd likely tell you the same.
However, when the 19-year-old British native steps onto the tennis court, the enthusiasm and aggressiveness overwhelm most of his opponents. Growing up in Carlisle, Great Britain, Edge's mother began taking him to the outdoor tennis courts in Newcastle as early as age 5. By the age of 13, Edge had fallen in love with the game so much that he decided to attend a boarding school for young tennis players at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland, two hours from his native Carlisle.
"I went on a visit before I joined and absolutely loved it," Edge said of Merchiston. "My first semester, I remember I wasn't really all that homesick because there was so much to do. I had tennis three to four hours a day and I played a lot of (soccer) with my friends."
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound freshman is actually more of an athlete than meets the eye. Aside from frequenting the soccer pitch and tennis courts at Merchiston, Edge played a lot of golf all around the United Kingdom growing up. In fact, Edge's athletic background was one of the main reasons he chose to come to MTSU.
"I like the idea of a big university with a basketball team and (American) football team that's big into athletics," Edge said in his British accent. "I really like watching sport."
From the outside looking in, the brown eyes of a former player of MT head coach Jimmy Borendame's actually got Edge in touch with the Blue Raiders.
James McKie, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, played under Borendame at Drake during his freshman season in 2009. After graduating from Drake, McKie began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Fresno State University but still kept tabs on his alma mater: Merchiston Castle School.
"I'm always interested in looking for a guy that plays an aggressive, all-court game," Borendame said. "That showed when I first saw a video of Chris playing. The right style of play, being a great student-athlete, plus the connection to a former player (were factors in landing Edge)."
All told, Edge put together a very impressive résumé as a junior. In his native Cumbria County, he claimed both the singles and doubles titles every year dating back to 2009 along with winning the county's men's title in 2016. These accolades earned him a spot as the 20th best 18U player and the 65th ranked men's player in the nation - a step below the professional ranking.
"Playing against guys that were around 24 years old helped me develop physically," Edge said. "A lot of them were ex-American college players. I was a lot weaker compared to them, and they could kind of hit through me. That helped me improve so that when I came (to the U.S.) it wasn't as much of a shock."
Since arriving stateside, Edge has certainly adapted well to the collegiate game. The redheaded lefty has gotten off to a great start in doubles play with sophomore Tom Moonen, jumping out to a team-leading 13-4 record with the Dutchman.
"A lefty and a righty is always a lethal combination in doubles," Borendame said. "It gets the other team confused. Tom serves quite well and so does Chris. To be able to put two guys that serve well together makes it hard for the other team to return their serve. A lot of people really like to watch them play because (they both) bring a lot of energy. It's a lot of fun to watch."
Perhaps the biggest battle for Edge this season came against Tulane University freshman Hamish Stewart.
Stewart, who grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, was a rival of Edge's growing up. The two attended Merchiston together, and as junior players, each time they met Stewart got the upper hand against Edge. On March 2 at the Adams Tennis Complex, the two would get the chance to do battle at the collegiate level for the first time. Edge roared to a 2-1 advantage against Stewart when they unthinkable happened: Edge turned his ankle.
Despite the injury, Edge didn't want to retire both for his teammates and himself. Though he fought through the pain, he wound up falling to Stewart 6-2, 6-3.
"I really wanted to beat Hamish and Tulane," Edge said. "I've known Hamish since I was 8 years old and went to school with him and (Tulane's) Ewan Moore. I really wanted to beat them. Last time I played Hamish I lost 7-6, 7-6, so I was motivated to get a win against him."
The attitude and the hard work that Edge brings to the court has paid dividends for the Blue Raiders' lone freshman, resulting in an overall combined record of 25-9 in singles and doubles play so far this spring.
"I think (Edge) is already having a big impact," Borendame said. "I think what's really great about his situation is that he has a couple of guys in front of him and a doubles partner that's also very young. Him and Tom have a chance to play for two more years. That combination is just going to get deadlier. On top of that, he's got Gonzalo (Morell Raschiatore) and Tom playing in front of him. All those things combined – I'm really excited about the future."
The aggressive attitude, passion and enthusiasm Edge has displayed this season is as fiery red as the hair on his head.
Playing at the collegiate level, enthusiasm is something everyone has. The big difference? Some have more than others.
As far as physically gifted athletes on the Middle Tennessee campus go, Chris Edge wouldn't strike most people as the guy they'd pick out of a lineup as a rare physical specimen. To be quite honest, he'd likely tell you the same.
However, when the 19-year-old British native steps onto the tennis court, the enthusiasm and aggressiveness overwhelm most of his opponents. Growing up in Carlisle, Great Britain, Edge's mother began taking him to the outdoor tennis courts in Newcastle as early as age 5. By the age of 13, Edge had fallen in love with the game so much that he decided to attend a boarding school for young tennis players at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland, two hours from his native Carlisle.
"I went on a visit before I joined and absolutely loved it," Edge said of Merchiston. "My first semester, I remember I wasn't really all that homesick because there was so much to do. I had tennis three to four hours a day and I played a lot of (soccer) with my friends."
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound freshman is actually more of an athlete than meets the eye. Aside from frequenting the soccer pitch and tennis courts at Merchiston, Edge played a lot of golf all around the United Kingdom growing up. In fact, Edge's athletic background was one of the main reasons he chose to come to MTSU.
"I like the idea of a big university with a basketball team and (American) football team that's big into athletics," Edge said in his British accent. "I really like watching sport."
From the outside looking in, the brown eyes of a former player of MT head coach Jimmy Borendame's actually got Edge in touch with the Blue Raiders.
James McKie, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, played under Borendame at Drake during his freshman season in 2009. After graduating from Drake, McKie began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Fresno State University but still kept tabs on his alma mater: Merchiston Castle School.
"I'm always interested in looking for a guy that plays an aggressive, all-court game," Borendame said. "That showed when I first saw a video of Chris playing. The right style of play, being a great student-athlete, plus the connection to a former player (were factors in landing Edge)."
All told, Edge put together a very impressive résumé as a junior. In his native Cumbria County, he claimed both the singles and doubles titles every year dating back to 2009 along with winning the county's men's title in 2016. These accolades earned him a spot as the 20th best 18U player and the 65th ranked men's player in the nation - a step below the professional ranking.
"Playing against guys that were around 24 years old helped me develop physically," Edge said. "A lot of them were ex-American college players. I was a lot weaker compared to them, and they could kind of hit through me. That helped me improve so that when I came (to the U.S.) it wasn't as much of a shock."
Since arriving stateside, Edge has certainly adapted well to the collegiate game. The redheaded lefty has gotten off to a great start in doubles play with sophomore Tom Moonen, jumping out to a team-leading 13-4 record with the Dutchman.
"A lefty and a righty is always a lethal combination in doubles," Borendame said. "It gets the other team confused. Tom serves quite well and so does Chris. To be able to put two guys that serve well together makes it hard for the other team to return their serve. A lot of people really like to watch them play because (they both) bring a lot of energy. It's a lot of fun to watch."
Perhaps the biggest battle for Edge this season came against Tulane University freshman Hamish Stewart.
Stewart, who grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, was a rival of Edge's growing up. The two attended Merchiston together, and as junior players, each time they met Stewart got the upper hand against Edge. On March 2 at the Adams Tennis Complex, the two would get the chance to do battle at the collegiate level for the first time. Edge roared to a 2-1 advantage against Stewart when they unthinkable happened: Edge turned his ankle.
Despite the injury, Edge didn't want to retire both for his teammates and himself. Though he fought through the pain, he wound up falling to Stewart 6-2, 6-3.
"I really wanted to beat Hamish and Tulane," Edge said. "I've known Hamish since I was 8 years old and went to school with him and (Tulane's) Ewan Moore. I really wanted to beat them. Last time I played Hamish I lost 7-6, 7-6, so I was motivated to get a win against him."
The attitude and the hard work that Edge brings to the court has paid dividends for the Blue Raiders' lone freshman, resulting in an overall combined record of 25-9 in singles and doubles play so far this spring.
"I think (Edge) is already having a big impact," Borendame said. "I think what's really great about his situation is that he has a couple of guys in front of him and a doubles partner that's also very young. Him and Tom have a chance to play for two more years. That combination is just going to get deadlier. On top of that, he's got Gonzalo (Morell Raschiatore) and Tom playing in front of him. All those things combined – I'm really excited about the future."
The aggressive attitude, passion and enthusiasm Edge has displayed this season is as fiery red as the hair on his head.
Players Mentioned
MTSU Tennis Pro-Am 9/6/25
Tuesday, September 09
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Men's Tennis NCAA Selection Show Watch Party on 04/28/25
Tuesday, April 29
MTSU Men's Tennis CUSA Championship vs Liberty Recap on 04/20/25
Wednesday, April 23
