Men's Tennis sweeps singles matches on day one of USTA/ITA Regional

MEMPHIS - The Middle Tennessee men's tennis team swept its three singles matches at the USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional in Memphis on Friday, and also had a doubles team reach the round of 16.

The day started with doubles play. Sophomores Yannick Born and Marlon Brand won their first match 8-4 over Lipscomb's David Salazar and Colby Shaw. In the next round, Born and Brand rolled to an 8-3 win against Austin Siegel and Sebastian Stiefelmeyer of Louisville. Playing their third match of the day, the duo lost in the round of 16 to Memphis' David O'Leary and Joe Salisbury 8-6. Middle Tennessee's other doubles pairing of Ben Davis and Christoph Lang lost in the round of 32 to East Tennessee State's Juan Ramirez and Jorge Varon 8-4.

The Blue Raiders were also successful in the opening round of singles play later in the day. After their three doubles matches, both Born and Brand won their singles matches in three sets. Brand defeated Austin Woldmoe of Butler 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Born also defeated a Butler player, Billy Weldon, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Sophomore Ettore Zito defeated Joao Camara of Murray State in straight sets 6-0, 6-2.

With Davis and Lang earning byes in the opening round, Middle Tennessee has five players still alive in the singles draw going into Saturday. Play resumes at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

Friday's Results (USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional)

Doubles

Yannick Born/Marlon Brand (MT) def. David Salazar/Colby Shaw (Lipscomb) 8-4

Yannick Born/Marlon Brand (MT) def. Austin Siegel/Sebastian Stiefelmeyer (Louisville) 8-3

Juan Ramirez/Jorge Varon (ETSU) def. Ben Davis/Christoph Lang (MT) 8-4

David O'Leary/Joe Salisbury (Memphis) def. Yannick Born/Marlon Brand (MT) 8-6

Singles

Marlon Brand (MT) def. Austin Woldmoe (Butler) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2

Ettore Zito (MT) def. Joao Camara (Murray State) 6-0, 6-2

Yannick Born (MT) def. Billy Weldon (Butler) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

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