The Blue Raiders (2-1) started the day by sweeping the doubles point for the third time in as many days. Middle Tennessee has used nine different doubles pairs in its three matches this weekend and has yet to lose a doubles point in 2008.

Junior Morgan Richard and freshman John Peers set the bar on Sunday defeating Rishi Behl and Jon Sigurdsson 8-3. Then sophomore Joao Paoliello and freshman Richard Cowden won their match 8-4 over Mipiloenhle Migogo and Michael Wenham.

Freshman Chris Nowak and sophomore Marc Rocafort had a challenge in No. 2 doubles but pulled out a 9-8 win over Anton Tymbalov and Joshua Smith by winning the tiebreaker 7-4.

"I am very pleased with how we have played after losing a tough match to Michigan State to begin the weekend. I am also very happy with our doubles play this weekend. We used nine different pairs and have won all nine matches," head coach David McNamara said.

In singles action, Rocafort gave the Blue Raiders a two-point lead as he defeated Tymbalov 6-3, 6-2.

Nowak extended the lead for Middle Tennessee to three as he won his match 6-1, 6-3 over Migogo. Then Richard lost 7-5, 6-7 (7-5), 6-4 to Sigurdsson giving the Sycamores their only win of the day.

In No. 3 singles, Peers defeated Behl in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to clinch the match for the Blue Raiders for the second consecutive match.

Cowden and freshman Alex McCann rounded out play for Middle Tennessee as each won their respective matches. McCann finished his match first defeating Smith 2-6, 6-4 11-9 in the supertie breaker. Then Cowden won his match with Wenham 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 in the supertie breaker.

Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Jan. 30 when it travels to Blacksburg, Va., to play No. 35 Virginia Tech at 2 p.m.

Mail to a friend	Print this article
Share on Facebook