Raiders Win Final Match at SBC Tourney

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Senior Andreas Siljestrom and freshman Joao Paoliello won the final two matches, both in three sets, in 47th-ranked Middle Tennessee's 4-3 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette late Sunday in the consolation match of the Sun Belt Championships in Denton, Texas.

The Blue Raiders (15-12) jumped out early, winning the doubles point and Marc Rocafort picked up an easy win at No. 4 singles when Janusz Conradi retired after just three games. But the Ragin' Cajuns won the next three completed singles outings, including a three-setter at No. 2, to pull ahead.

Siljestrom reversed the trend from Saturday's semifinals when he lost in a third-set tiebreaker. The senior outlasted UL's Piotrek Banas in three sets, also in a tiebreaker, before Paoliello won his match in three sets for the deciding point in the victory.

Middle Tennessee started quickly with victories in the two completed doubles matches.

Senior Marco Born and Siljestrom, ranked 11th nationally, defeated Banas and Shaun Ellison, 8-5, at No. 1 before Rocafort and Morgan Richard won 8-3 at No. 2 over Jorge Delgado and Conradi.

Rocafort picked up his singles point for a 2-0 Blue Raider lead before Louisiana-Lafayette strung together its three straight victories.

Ellison defeated Richard, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 3, Arlen Domoney won 6-3, 6-2, over Alex McCann at No. 6 and Dusan Tabak posted a 7-5, 1-6, 6-3, triumph over 113th-ranked Born at No. 2.

Siljestrom, ranked 78th nationally, came back with his victory over Banas, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, before Paoliello won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, at No. 5 over Delgado.

Middle Tennessee must wait anxiously for the Tuesday, May 1 announcement of the NCAA Team Championships field to see if its season will continue. Players selected for the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships will be posted on the NCAA website after 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 2.

#47 Middle Tennessee 4, Louisiana-Lafayette 3
SINGLES
1. (78) Andreas Siljestrom (MT) def. Piotrek Banas (UL), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6
2. Dusan Tabak (UL) def. (113) Marco Born (MT), 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
3. Shaun Ellison (UL) def. Morgan Richard (MT), 6-4, 6-1
4. Marc Rocafort (MT) def. Janusz Conradi (UL), 3-0, retired
5. Joao Pailiello (MT) def. Jorge Delgado (UL), 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
6. Arlen Domoney (UL) def. Alex McCann (MT), 6-3, 6-2
Order of Finish: 4,3,6,2,1,5

DOUBLES
1. (11) Siljestrom-Born (MT) def. Ellison-Banas (UL), 8-5
2. Richard-Rocafort (MT) def. Delgado-Conradi (UL), 8-3
3. Marc Boiron-Pailiello (MT) led Tabak-Domoney (UL), 6-4, DNF
Order of Finish: 1,2*

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