Blue Raiders complete weekend sweep, earn tournament title

Sunday, April 1

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

12:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

South Alabama

Photo by: Athletic Communications

4/1/2012 5:53:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raiders completed the weekend sweep at the Sun Belt Shootout, knocking off their second nationally ranked team of the day with a 4-0 win over No. 57 South Alabama in the tournament's championship match on Sunday afternoon at Buck Bouldin Tennis Center. MT also reeled off wins over Austin Peay and No. 71 Georgia State en route to the tournament title. "I'm so proud of our team's performance this whole weekend," head coach Jimmy Borendame said. "To battle this morning to a hard-fought win and then come back with a dominating victory against another ranked program says a lot about the stamina and determination of our entire team." Middle Tennessee (11-6) has now won six of its last seven matches, led by Ben Davis in the top slot. Davis has won four singles matches in a row, including victories over the top player from three nationally ranked programs. Davis earned a 6-2, 6-2 win today, as all four Blue Raiders that finished singles action earned straight-set victories. Christoph Lang got the Blue Raiders rolling with a 6-3, 6-2 win before Davis' victory made it 2-0. Dimitri Pippos (7-5, 6-4) and Ettore Zito (6-2, 7-5) clinched the match. MT continues the homestand on Wednesday with a 2 p.m. match against Lipscomb. All matches are free and open to the public. Middle Tennessee 4, #57 South Alabama 0
Singles competition
1. Ben Davis (MT) def. Bocaert, Romain (USA) 6-2, 6-2
2. Christoph Lang (MT) def. Bernard, Alex (USA) 6-3, 6-2
3. Matthew Langley (MT) vs. Leitner, Daniel (USA) 7-6, 3-4, unfinished
4. Ettore Zito (MT) def. Hall, Cody (USA) 6-2, 7-5
5. Forrest Edwards (MT) vs. Kruger, Dauw (USA) 7-5, 2-1, unfinished
6. Dimitri Pippos (MT) def. Bartsch, Hanno (USA) 7-5, 6-4

Match Notes
South Alabama 13-5; National ranking #57
Middle Tennessee 11-6
Order of finish: Singles (2,1,6,4)