Slow start hampers Raiders in loss to Mississippi State

NASHVILLE - Middle Tennessee couldn't overcome a slow start on Wednesday as the Blue Raiders fell 4-1 to Mississippi State inside the Nashboro Village Athletic Club.

MSU (6-6) won all three doubles contests and won the first two singles contests before MT avoided a sweep. The Bulldogs clinched the match at the No. 1 singles court as the match ended early. Middle Tennessee falls to 6-7 on the season.

The Bulldogs opened doubles action with an 8-0 shutout as Georgiana Patrasc and Petra Ferancova defeated MT's Carla Nava and Yuiri Nomoto. The next two contests were a lot closer. The 46th ranked tandem of Alexandra Perper and Naomi Tran won 8-4 over MT's Nayara Moraes and Irina Constantinide.

Alexandra Torres and Flavia Nagayama battled on the third court, but ultimately fell 8-6 to MSU's Roseline Dion and Lien Van Geel.

In singles action, Perper won a straight set contest over MT's Nomoto, 6-4, 6-2. Middle Tennessee earned its first point when Moraes picked up a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ferancova. In the No. 3 contest, Tran won a close 7-5, 6-4 match against Nagayama to give the Bulldogs the third point.

Mississippi State clinched the game winner as top-seeded Patrasc defeated MT's Constantinide (6-3, 4-6, 6-3). Wednesday's loss snapped a three match win streak over the Blue Raiders.

The Blue Raiders continue the homestand on Sunday, March 17 against conference foe UALR. First serve is set for 11 a.m. The location for the match is tentatively set for the Buck Bouldin Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro, but could change due to rain in the forecast. Fans are encouraged to visit GoBlueRaiders.com for the latest information.

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