Raiders Blank UTSA, Advance to C-USA Quarterfinals

Thursday, April 19

Norfolk, Va.

2 PM

Middle Tennessee

12-seed UTSA

4/19/2018 4:22:00 PM | Women's Tennis

5-seed MT to take on 4-seed FAU tomorrow

By: @MTAthletics

5-seed MT vs. 12-seed UTSA results

NORFOLK, Va.– In the first round of the Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship, 5-seed Middle Tennessee won over 12-seed UTSA by a score of 4-0 to advance to tomorrow's quarterfinal round.

"I thought we came out with lots of good, positive energy, and we were ready for the opportunity to compete today," MT head coach Charlie Ramsay said. "I thought we had great focus today, were very efficient and took care of business."

The Blue Raiders will meet 4-seed FAU tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Norfolk with a spot in the semifinals on the line. The Owls advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating 13-seed Marshall, 4-2, earlier today.

FAU is now 11-7 this year with a 4-4 record away from their home courts and is led by Aliona Balsova Zadoinov, the No. 2-ranked singles player in the country. Zadoinov pairs with Jemi Aguilar to be the No. 55-ranked doubles combo in the nation. The Owls are top-heavy, however, as they have a .500 record or worse at No. 3-6 singles as well as No. 2 and 3 doubles. All four points against Marshall on Thursday came in doubles after the Owls fell in doubles.

As for Thursday's win for the Blue Raiders, Kim Kermet and Luisa Zirilli won at No. 1 doubles, 6-2, followed by a 6-2 score on court two to clinch the doubles point by Lee Barnard and Marta Peris Herrero.

In singles, three Blue Raiders cruised to dominating wins, making the final score, 4-0, in favor of MT. Barnard was first to finish in singles with a 6-2, 6-0 score, followed by Costanza Magazzini at No. 1, 6-4, 6-1. Kermet finished off the 4-0 win with a 6-4, 6-0 victory on court three. Zirilli and Herrero were both one game away from wins at No. 5 and 6 but were unable to finish.

"We're just excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete another day in the quarterfinals against a great team like FAU, and I look forward to watching our girls compete tomorrow," Ramsay added.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter, @MT_WomensTennis, and Facebook, MTSU Women's Tennis, for updates and information on the Blue Raiders' run through the postseason.

The winner of the MT vs. FAU match will take on the winner of the No. 1 FIU vs. No. 9 Charlotte matchup in the C-USA Championship Semifinals on Saturday at 11 a.m.