Blue Raiders open fall slate with stellar performances

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee men's tennis team opened the fall slate on Friday with a solid performance in the Dale Short Shootout at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center. Six Blue Raiders claimed victory in singles matches, while MT also won three doubles matches against Southern Illinois.

"We won all but two matches on the day, so I'm very pleased with that performance to start the season," head coach Jimmy Borendame said. "Hopefully we can keep up that pace throughout the weekend."

Three Blue Raiders won singles matches in straight sets. Marlon Brand delivered a dominant performance over Szymon Opieczonek, winning 6-0, 6-2, while Ettore Zito (7-5, 6-0) and Forrest Edwards (6-2, 6-2) also won in straight sets.

Ben Davis took the first set, 6-3, before dropping the second, 6-4, to Jorge Cavero. Davis rebounded to win the third set, 6-3, to claim the match. Matthew Langley's strong performance in the third set propelled him to victory over Badr Cherradi (6-2, 3-6, 6-2). Cameron Dickerson picked up his first collegiate singles victory with a 5-7, 6-1, 10-3 win over Orhan Spahic.

Davis and Zito (9-7), Dimitri Pippos and Dickerson (8-2) and Edwards, who paired with Belmont's Henrique Norbiato (8-6), also earned the victory in doubles.

The tournament continues on Saturday with doubles beginning at 10 a.m. and singles immediately following.

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