MT evens record with solid Saturday victory

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Middle Tennessee women’s tennis pulled its season record to even, picking up a 5-2 triumph at UAB Saturday afternoon, as the Blue Raiders concluded opening weekend action of the 2012 campaign.

The season’s first victory started with a MT sweep of the three doubles matches and continued with a solid performance in singles, as the visitors garnered four wins in six tries.

The No. 1 doubles pairing of freshman Nayara Moraes and senior Carla Nava picked up an 8-3 win against the Blazers’ Paula Alvarez and Isabel Fernandez, while the No. 2 duo of senior Marietta Bigus and junior Lexi Brand earned an 8-5 decision over Rachel Daniell and Menanteau Moolman.

The sweep was finished by the No. 3 tandem of sophomore Flavia Nagayama and junior Yuiri Nomoto, as they tallied a blanking themselves by defeating Richole Berger and Rachel Cohen, 8-0.

After splitting the six singles matches in Friday’s season opener, the Blue Raiders recorded one more than UAB (0-1) Saturday to help seal the team victory.

Nava posted a hard-fought, three-set triumph over Alvarez in the No. 1 meeting 6-7, 6-4, 10-7, while Bigus knocked off Cohen in the No. 6 slot 6-4, 6-0 for their first season victories, respectively.

A pair of Middle Tennessee (1-1) players extended their win streaks to two with Saturday triumphs, including Brand who notched a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Moolman at the No. 4 position.

Moraes also remained unbeaten, handing Berger a 6-2, 6-4 setback in the No. 5 matchup.

The Blue Raiders will take over a week off before resuming their campaign next Sunday, February 5, when they return to Alabama and travel to Mobile for a 10 a.m. meeting with South Alabama.

Middle Tennessee 5, UAB 2
Singles
No. 1 Carla Nava (MT) def. Paula Alvarez (UAB) 6-7, 6-4, 10-7
No. 2 Isabel Fernandez (UAB) def. Yuiri Nomoto (MT) 7-6, 6-7, 11-9
No. 3 Rachel Daniell (UAB) def. Flavia Nagayama (MT) 7-6, 6-3
No. 4 Lexi Brand (MT) def. Menanteau Moolman (UAB) 6-3, 6-1
No. 5 Nayara Moraes (MT) def. Richole Berger (UAB) 6-2, 6-4
No. 6 Marietta Bigus (MT) def. Rachel Cohen (UAB) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 Moraes/Nava (MT) def. Alvarez/Fernandez (UAB) 8-3
No. 2 Bigus/Brand (MT) def. Daniell/Moolman (UAB) 8-5
No. 3 Nagayama/Nomoto (MT) def. Berger/Cohen (UAB) 8-0

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