Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Tuesday, May 24
Champaign, Ill.
TBA
Middle Tennessee
vs
NCAA Doubles Championship
Photo by: Matt Posey/MT Athletic Communications
Rocha, Brostrom Poulsen Fall in Opening Round of NCAA Doubles Championship
5/24/2022 5:47:00 PM | Men's Tennis
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Tuesday evening, Middle Tennessee men's tennis places a bookmark in the 2021-22 campaign, as Senior Francisco Rocha and Freshman Oskar Brostrom Poulsen fall in the opening round of the NCAA Doubles Championship to California's Carl Emil Overbeck/Yuta Kikuchi 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 0-1 (7-10) at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.
"The end of the season is always bittersweet, even after all we have accomplished this year, unless you win the entire National Championship, in my eyes, there is always room to improve," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "We have raised the bar here at Middle Tennessee men's tennis to another level. We will regroup, reload, analyze strengths and weaknesses as we make improvements heading into next season."
The Blue Raiders conclude a historic season that saw the team win their third consecutive Conference USA Championship, advance the furthest any Blue Raider squad has gone in the NCAA Tournament, earn the most wins in program history (28), tying the longest win streak in Blue Raider history (17), having all six starters achieve C-USA in-season and postseason awards, and the highest ITA ranking in the Borendame era.
No. 70 Rocha and Brostrom Poulsen (14-9) were given a tough draw to open the NCAA Doubles Championship, placed against No. 28 Overbeck/Kikuchi (17-9) across the net.
Middle Tennessee and California went back and forth in the first set, tying each point through the first three games. Once Middle Tennessee equalized at three, the Blue Raiders jumped the Golden Bears to conclude set one at 6-4 in MT's favor, carrying momentum into the second set.
Rocha and Brostrom Poulsen took a commanding 5-2 lead in the second set, however, the Golden Bear duo would not go out easily, coming back to break MT and take a 6-5 lead, shifting momentum once again in the doubles match.
Overbeck and Kikuchi surged in the tiebreak round and claimed the set at 7-6 (8-6) after Middle Tennessee showed grit equalizing the set at 6-6.
In the third and final super tiebreak set, California and MT yet again went back and forth until mid-way through the set. The Golden Bears claimed the last four points to clinch the match at 1-0 (10-7), sending the California duo to the Sweet 16.
Middle Tennessee officially wraps up the season after today's NCAA Doubles Championship, the first Blue Raider appearance since 2009.
"2022 was not just a one hit wonder season, we will be back and better next year, do not fall asleep on the Blue Raiders. I would also like to thanks the fans and supporters this season, who had our back at home and on the road, you don't know what it means to me and the guys to have your support." said Borendame.
NCAA Doubles Championship, Round of 32 score:
Carl Emil Overbeck/Yuta Kikuchi (California) def. Francsico Rocha/Oskar Brostrom Poulsen (MTSU) 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-7)
"The end of the season is always bittersweet, even after all we have accomplished this year, unless you win the entire National Championship, in my eyes, there is always room to improve," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "We have raised the bar here at Middle Tennessee men's tennis to another level. We will regroup, reload, analyze strengths and weaknesses as we make improvements heading into next season."
The Blue Raiders conclude a historic season that saw the team win their third consecutive Conference USA Championship, advance the furthest any Blue Raider squad has gone in the NCAA Tournament, earn the most wins in program history (28), tying the longest win streak in Blue Raider history (17), having all six starters achieve C-USA in-season and postseason awards, and the highest ITA ranking in the Borendame era.
No. 70 Rocha and Brostrom Poulsen (14-9) were given a tough draw to open the NCAA Doubles Championship, placed against No. 28 Overbeck/Kikuchi (17-9) across the net.
Middle Tennessee and California went back and forth in the first set, tying each point through the first three games. Once Middle Tennessee equalized at three, the Blue Raiders jumped the Golden Bears to conclude set one at 6-4 in MT's favor, carrying momentum into the second set.
Rocha and Brostrom Poulsen took a commanding 5-2 lead in the second set, however, the Golden Bear duo would not go out easily, coming back to break MT and take a 6-5 lead, shifting momentum once again in the doubles match.
Overbeck and Kikuchi surged in the tiebreak round and claimed the set at 7-6 (8-6) after Middle Tennessee showed grit equalizing the set at 6-6.
In the third and final super tiebreak set, California and MT yet again went back and forth until mid-way through the set. The Golden Bears claimed the last four points to clinch the match at 1-0 (10-7), sending the California duo to the Sweet 16.
Middle Tennessee officially wraps up the season after today's NCAA Doubles Championship, the first Blue Raider appearance since 2009.
"2022 was not just a one hit wonder season, we will be back and better next year, do not fall asleep on the Blue Raiders. I would also like to thanks the fans and supporters this season, who had our back at home and on the road, you don't know what it means to me and the guys to have your support." said Borendame.
NCAA Doubles Championship, Round of 32 score:
Carl Emil Overbeck/Yuta Kikuchi (California) def. Francsico Rocha/Oskar Brostrom Poulsen (MTSU) 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-7)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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