Blue Raiders perform well to open play

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Middle Tennessee performed well on opening day at the Crimson Tide Fall Championships with two singles players advancing to the semifinals in their respective draws.

Freshman Elliot Barnwell defeated SCAD's Joseph Dwyer 6-2, 6-1 to open play at the tournament in the Hannah Draw. The Warwickshire, England native then faced Alabama's Carlos Taborga in the quarterfinals. After dropping the opening set 6-3, Barnwell came back and won the match with 6-2, and 6-3 wins.

Barnwell will compete in the semifinals of the draw on Saturday when he faces Notre Dame's Matt Johnson.

Sophomore Shaun Waters opened play in the Musso Draw by taking a three-set win, 6-2, 0-6, 7-6, over Troy's Jamie Eccleton. Waters then advanced to the semifinals after defeating Holger Norregaard of Tulane 7-6, 6-3.

The Melbourne, Australia native will face Memphis' Daniel Shilder in the semifinals on Saturday.

Junior Matthew Langley won his opening set 6-3 over Daniel Cornei of UAB. Langley battled in the second but fell 7-5 and could not pull out the win as he lost the third set 6-2. Langley will face Illinois' Brian Alden in the consolation bracket on Saturday.

In the Palmer Draw, senior Kyle Wishing fell 7-6, 6-1 to Memphis' KC Griffen in the opening round. Wishing will face Tommy Cundy of Troy in the consolation bracket of the draw on Saturday.

In doubles action, Barnwell and Waters defeated Tulane's Norregaard and Takuma Ohashi 8-1 to open play in the Crimson Draw. The pair will face Radford's Paul Boslet and Stijn Meulemans in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Langley and Wishing will face Memphis' Griffen and Cedric DeZuter in the round of 16 on Saturday after receiving a first round bye in the White Draw.

Results from Saturday's play at the Alabama Fall Championships will be posted on goblueraiders.com once they become available.

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