No. 56 Blue Raiders take down Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The No. 56 Middle Tennessee men’s team extended its winning streak to five matches with a 4-3 victory over Southern Miss on Friday afternoon at the USM Tennis Courts. The Blue Raiders have won eight of their last nine contests, led by Ben Davis with six consecutive victories in the No. 1 slot.

“I’m extremely proud of the poise our team showed today in a tough environment,” head coach Jimmy Borendame said. “I was particularly impressed with our doubles play. Each tandem has improved continuously throughout the season and their chemistry is really paying off.”

The five-match streak is the longest regular-season streak since the 2009 season when MT (13-6) won six in a row before heading into postseason play where the Blue Raiders won three more for a nine-match winning streak.

Ettore Zito and Matthew Langley got doubles action rolling with an 8-2 victory, then Christoph Lang and Ben Davis clinched the point, also tallying an 8-2 win. Marlon Brand and Yannick Born completed the sweep with an 8-7 triumph, taking the tiebreaker, 7-3.

Davis made quick work of Matt Frost in the top slot with a 6-1, 6-0 win and Ettore Zito made it a 3-0 MT lead with a 6-1, 6-1 win in the No. 4 spot. Matthew Langley’s 6-1, 6-4 tally clinched the victory. MT was had claimed the first set in two of the final three matches, but Borendame elected to stop the matches following the clinching point due to the Blue Raiders’ travel schedule.

The Blue Raiders continue road action at Tulane on Saturday. The match will start at 1 p.m.

#56 Middle Tennessee 4, Southern Miss 3
Singles competition
1. Ben Davis (MT) def. Matt Frost (USMM) 6-1, 6-0
2. Matthew Langley (MT) def. Paulo Alvarado (USMM) 6-1, 6-4
3. Inaki Belloso (USMM) def. Christoph Lang (MT) 3-6, 3-4, retired
4. Ettore Zito (MT) def. Juan Escobar (USMM) 6-1, 6-1
5. Andrew Goodwin (USMM) def. Forrest Edwards (MT) 6-2, 3-3, retired
6. Alex Doleac (USMM) def. Dimitri Pippos (MT) 7-5, 2-3, retired

Doubles competition
1. Marlon Brand/Yannick Born (MT) def. Matt Frost/Andrew Goodwin (USMM) 8-7 (7-3)
2. Christoph Lang/Ben Davis (MT) def. Juan Escobar/Inaki Belloso (USMM) 8-2
3. Ettore Zito/Matthew Langley (MT) def. Paulo Alvarado/Michael Elortegui (USMM) 8-2

Match Notes
Middle Tennessee 13-6; National ranking #56
Southern Miss 9-13
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,4,2)

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