Men's tennis continues competition at Dale Short Shootout

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee men's tennis team returned to the court for the second day of the Dale Short Shootout on Saturday, squaring off against UAB and Memphis.

"We struggled today, especially in doubles competition," head coach Jimmy Borendame said. "But that's what these fall tournaments are for. We'll continue to work on that doubles chemistry to get ready for spring competition."

A trio of Blue Raiders won singles matches on day two to move to 2-0. Marlon Brand (6-4, 7-5), Cameron Dickerson (6-1, 6-1) and Forrest Edwards (6-1, 6-2), all freshmen, earned victories in straight sets.

Ben Davis (2-6, 4-6), Matthew Langley (5-7, 2-6) and Dimitri Pippos (2-6, 5-7) dropped decisions in straight sets. Ettore Zito won the first set, 7-5, before falling, 3-6, 3-6.

The Blue Raiders dropped five of six doubles matches on the day, with Edwards and Langley pairing for the 8-6 victory over the UAB duo of Lucas Dirube and James Gardner. Davis and Zito (8-4) and Brand and Pippos (8-1) fell to the Blazers, while Dickerson paired with UAB's Iannuzzi and fell, 8-2, to the Belmont duo of Fernando Mussolini and Henrique Norbiato.

MT ended the day with doubles competition against Memphis, dropping all three matches. Brand joined Davis for the first time in doubles action, falling 8-3. Langley and Edwards dropped an 8-0 decision, while Dickerson and Pippos paired for the 8-1 loss.

The tournament concludes on Sunday with singles action beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center.

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