Blue Raiders open play with strong performances

ATHENS, Ga. - Middle Tennessee battled on the first day of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships to open the fall tennis season.

Shaun Waters started his season and the day off with a win after defeating Omar Aly of Miami 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round of Division II singles. Waters then fell 6-2, 6-3 to Elon's Wesley Barrett in the second round.

Matthew Langley fell 6-3, 7-6 (5) to Georgia State's Vincent Verpeaux to open play in Division I singles.

After receiving a bye in the first round of Division II singles, Elliot Barnwell battled against Garrett Brasseaux of Georgia. Barnwell won the first set 6-4 but lost the next two, 6-4, 6-3, as Brasseaux took the match.

Kyle Wishing won his first set 6-3 but Tennessee's Bryan Swartz won the next two 6-3, 6-4 to take the match in the first round of Division III singles.

In doubles action, Waters and Wishing fought hard but could not pull out the win falling 9-7 to Memphis' K.C. Griffin and Johnny Ferrer.

In Division I doubles, Barnwell paired with Langely to face Max Stevens and Ed Jones of Tennessee with the Vols taking an 8-5 win.

Middle Tennessee will begin play in the consolation brackets on Saturday. Results and brackets will be posted on goblueraiders.com as they become available.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.