Regional Preview: #20 NC State

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 2019 C-USA champions, the Blue Raiders will be making its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance when it faces No. 20 NC State in the Knoxville Regional on Friday at 11am EDT.

The Raiders have been a powerhouse this season when it comes to taking the first point. Out of the 19 double points won this season, 15 of them ended in full match wins for the Blue Raiders. Look for this to be the key for a successful match.

Fans can follow the action on Twitter (@MT_MensTennis).

Match Information
Where: Barksdale Stadium
When: Friday at 10am CT
Who: #20 NC State
*Location of the matches could change due to impending weather coming in this weekend.*

Opponent
#20 NC State
Series: Blue Raiders lead, 2-1

Last Meeting: January 30, 2015, NCSU won 7-0

Singles to watch: No. 21 Alexis Galarneau (15-8 overall, all at No. 1)

Doubles to watch: No. 46 Galarneau/Ogden (11-5 overall, all at No. 1)

Scouting Report: This will be the 4th meeting between the Blue Raiders and Wolfpack. NC State comes into the Knoxville Regional with an 18-10 record this year and ranking #20 in the ITA rankings. They reached the ACC Championships Semifinals where they fell to Wake Forest, 4-2. Last season, NC State finished 17-9 overall and lost to #34 Cal in the first round of the NCAA Championship, 4-1.

MT players to watch
Chris Edge/Tom Moonen – the previously ranked pair is currently 14-6 on the season in dual doubles at the No. 1 spot. They were ranked as high as No. 52 in the ITA rankings in the month of March.

Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore/Pavel Motl – The No. 3 doubles pair has been on fire this season. Together, they are 18-5 overall and won all three of their matchups at the Conference USA tournament.

Pavel Motl – leads the team in singles wins with a total of 24 and is team leader in doubles wins with 26. He has broken the freshman doubles wins' record with 26 and is tied for fifth with 24 singles wins. After dropping a first set tiebreak, Motl regrouped and forced a third set. Moments after Moonen tied the championship at 3-3, Motl broke his opponent's serve to take a 6-5 lead in the championship-deciding set. With the game score at 40-30 and on his second serve, Motl delivered in the clutch to send MT to the NCAA tournament.

Max Rauch – the fiery junior played hero in the C-USA semifinal match against Coach Borendame nemesis with a three-set winner, sending them to the 'ship. He is 21-12 in singles this spring season.

Stijn Slump - Sitjn Slump had all eyes on him with the Raiders season on the line in the quarterfinals against UTSA as he came in clutch saving three match points. After falling in the first set 6-1, Slump became more aggressive with his shots and forced a third set with a 6-3 win. He took the challenge head strong and pulled out the clutch three set tiebreaker win for the Blue Raiders when they needed him the most.

Social Media
Follow the Blue Raiders in the post season
Twitter: @MT_MensTennis
Facebook: Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Mens Tennis
Instagram: @MT_MensTennis

Next Up
The winner of Friday's match will face the winner of host 1-seed Tennessee vs. 4-seed Radford, Saturday at 2pm EDT.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Chris Edge

Tom Moonen

Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore

Pavel Motl

Max Rauch

Stijn Slump

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics