Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Depth headlines experienced Blue Raider squad in 2021
1/14/2021 10:30:00 AM | Men's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Upon first glance at the Middle Tennessee State men's tennis roster, it's impossible not to notice the wealth of talent and experience head coach Jimmy Borendame has heading into the season. Since arriving in 2010, this is arguably the best-looking team on paper he's ever had, and with good reason.
Middle Tennessee returns a squad that won 70% of the matches it played during the spring, along with a grand total of 20 all-conference team recognitions and the 2020 conference co-player of the year in senior Chris Edge. Combine that with the return of 2019's C-USA Freshman of the Year Stijn Slump and the return of prolific grad students Tom Moonen and Max Rauch, and you have a lineup that rivals that of any team in the country.
While the current roster and the accomplishments they've had thus far are nothing to scoff at, Middle Tennessee looks to climb an even higher mountain in 2021 as it continues down the road to becoming a nationally recognized power.
"We had a great fall that is going to pay dividends going into the spring," Borendame said. "We had tons of highlights. Tom Moonen played exceptionally well; Fransisco Rocha had a breakout fall with a couple of wins over some ranked opponents. We dominated in doubles across the board. If we can continue that momentum, stick together and play as a family and take advantage of the opportunities on our schedule, we have a chance to be really good again this year."
The past few seasons, the Blue Raiders have been led by Moonen, who is back for one final season after last spring was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With seven all-conference selections and multiple appearances in the ITF as a top-20 player in the country, it's no secret that Moonen is looked at as the No. 1 guy on the roster each match.
"I tell people that I'm blessed to be able to have a bonus year," Moonen said. "Without the craziness of the pandemic, I wouldn't be here anymore. I finished my undergrad in May, and I get the chance to play tennis for another year as I work on my master's degree. I was able to turn a bad situation into a great opportunity."
Though Moonen is No. 1 in the singles lineup, there is quite the logjam as to who the No. 2 guy on the roster is, and that's a problem the Blue Raiders welcome any day of the week. With the return of veterans Edge, Slump and Rauch, this team promises to have as much if not more depth than any other team in recent memory.
"I'm not scared to say that this is the most talented team that I've been a part of," Moonen said. "We're a mature team with the right mindset that embraces the culture that we've been able to build at Middle Tennessee. We're not afraid to hold each other accountable, and it really helps us to bring the best out in each other during practices. It makes us all excited to get started this season."
That depth, paired with freshman Andreas Kramer and grad transfer Oskar Michalek, has Middle Tennessee primed to fight for a repeat as Conference USA champs in 2021.
The road to the conference title, which includes a full 22-match slate, won't be an easy one. Aside from the tough competition they face in conference play, the Blue Raiders will take on SEC foes Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Alabama. The road doesn't end there, as Middle Tennessee will also battle another pair of big-name programs in Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
It's a challenge the Blue Raiders are more than looking forward to as they look to make a historic run in the 2021 season.
"The depth we have is phenomenal," Borendame said. "There's no drop off whatsoever in our lineup. Scrimmage matches in practice have been extremely competitive. It's been almost an eat or be eaten type of day out there every day, and that's what we want. We have to keep that hunger and focus on getting better every day, and we can be extremely successful this spring."
Middle Tennessee starts its season Saturday at the Adams Tennis Complex against the Memphis Tigers at 1 p.m. in a non-dual match. To see the rest of the schedule, click here.
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee returns a squad that won 70% of the matches it played during the spring, along with a grand total of 20 all-conference team recognitions and the 2020 conference co-player of the year in senior Chris Edge. Combine that with the return of 2019's C-USA Freshman of the Year Stijn Slump and the return of prolific grad students Tom Moonen and Max Rauch, and you have a lineup that rivals that of any team in the country.
While the current roster and the accomplishments they've had thus far are nothing to scoff at, Middle Tennessee looks to climb an even higher mountain in 2021 as it continues down the road to becoming a nationally recognized power.
"We had a great fall that is going to pay dividends going into the spring," Borendame said. "We had tons of highlights. Tom Moonen played exceptionally well; Fransisco Rocha had a breakout fall with a couple of wins over some ranked opponents. We dominated in doubles across the board. If we can continue that momentum, stick together and play as a family and take advantage of the opportunities on our schedule, we have a chance to be really good again this year."
The past few seasons, the Blue Raiders have been led by Moonen, who is back for one final season after last spring was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With seven all-conference selections and multiple appearances in the ITF as a top-20 player in the country, it's no secret that Moonen is looked at as the No. 1 guy on the roster each match.
"I tell people that I'm blessed to be able to have a bonus year," Moonen said. "Without the craziness of the pandemic, I wouldn't be here anymore. I finished my undergrad in May, and I get the chance to play tennis for another year as I work on my master's degree. I was able to turn a bad situation into a great opportunity."
Though Moonen is No. 1 in the singles lineup, there is quite the logjam as to who the No. 2 guy on the roster is, and that's a problem the Blue Raiders welcome any day of the week. With the return of veterans Edge, Slump and Rauch, this team promises to have as much if not more depth than any other team in recent memory.
"I'm not scared to say that this is the most talented team that I've been a part of," Moonen said. "We're a mature team with the right mindset that embraces the culture that we've been able to build at Middle Tennessee. We're not afraid to hold each other accountable, and it really helps us to bring the best out in each other during practices. It makes us all excited to get started this season."
That depth, paired with freshman Andreas Kramer and grad transfer Oskar Michalek, has Middle Tennessee primed to fight for a repeat as Conference USA champs in 2021.
The road to the conference title, which includes a full 22-match slate, won't be an easy one. Aside from the tough competition they face in conference play, the Blue Raiders will take on SEC foes Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Alabama. The road doesn't end there, as Middle Tennessee will also battle another pair of big-name programs in Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
It's a challenge the Blue Raiders are more than looking forward to as they look to make a historic run in the 2021 season.
"The depth we have is phenomenal," Borendame said. "There's no drop off whatsoever in our lineup. Scrimmage matches in practice have been extremely competitive. It's been almost an eat or be eaten type of day out there every day, and that's what we want. We have to keep that hunger and focus on getting better every day, and we can be extremely successful this spring."
Middle Tennessee starts its season Saturday at the Adams Tennis Complex against the Memphis Tigers at 1 p.m. in a non-dual match. To see the rest of the schedule, click here.
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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