Blue Raiders Fall to Virginia Tech

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee fell to No. 35 Virginia Tech 6-1 on Wednesday in its first road match of the 2008 season.

The Blue Raiders (2-2) played three three-set matches against the Hokies (4-0) but it was not enough as freshman Richard Cowden was the only one to win in the third set and match.

Cowden defeated Brandon Corace 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to end the match on a high note for the Blue Raiders.

Sophomore Marc Rocafort fell to No. 45 Albert Larregola 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the No. 2 position. Junior Morgan Richard lost his match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to Yoann Re in the No. 3 position.

Also in singles action, freshman John Peers lost his match with No. 87 Nicolas Delgado de Robles 7-6, 6-1. In the No. 4 position freshman Chris Nowak fell to Pedro Graber 6-2, 7-5 while sophomore Joao Paoliello lost his match 6-4, 6-4 to Sebastian Jacques.

In doubles play, Richard and Cowden fell to Graber and Delgado de Robles 8-3. In the No. 2 position Peers and Nowak were defeated by Larregola and Corace 8-5.

Rounding out doubles play for the Blue Raiders were Rocafort and Paoliello who fell to Re and Jacques 8-7. Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 12 p.m. when it faces No. 66 Denver in Minneapolis, Minn.

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