Raiders Finish Strong at Volunteer State Challenge

Senior Andreas Siljestrom won both of his matches Sunday at the Volunteer State Challenge in Knoxville, Tenn., helping the Blue Raiders to win in 10-of-12 outings on the final day of the tournament. (Dan Anderson)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee finished strong on Sunday at the Volunteer State Challenge in Knoxville, Tenn., winning 10-of-12 singles matches, including a sweep of Memphis and four wins versus Vanderbilt.

The Blue Raiders finished the three-day tournament 17-7 overall in singles and 3-3 in doubles, taking on Memphis and Vanderbilt on Sunday as well as Tennessee and East Tennessee the previous two days.

The biggest wins for Middle Tennessee on Sunday may have come from senior Andreas Siljestrom, who lost close outings on Friday and Saturday before rebounding on the final day of competition.

Siljestrom, ranked 32nd nationally, defeated Charlie Ramsey of Memphis, 6-4, 7-5, as well as Vandy's 28th-ranked Ryan Preston, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 10-6.

Senior Marco Born completed a perfect weekend in singles with two victories, taking care of Benny Fischer of Memphis, 6-2, 4-6, 10-8, before a 6-3, 6-3, triumph over Commodore Evan Dufaux.

Freshman Marc Rocafort was also perfect in four singles outings over the weekend, winning 6-4, 6-4, over Jimmy Khougassian of Memphis and 6-2, 6-1, against Vandy's Vijay Paul.

Sophomore Morgan Richard also won both of his outings Sunday and was 3-1 in singles in the tournament. Richard defeated Amrit Narasimhan of Memphis, 6-4, 6-4, and VU's Nathan Sachs, 6-4, 6-0.

Redshirt freshman Joao Paoliello split his two matches Sunday, winning 6-1, 6-4, over Cody Loup of Memphis but falling 4-6, 1-6, to Vandy's Scott Lieberman.

Junior Marc Boiron also split his two outings Sunday, taking a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Tezar Putra of Memphis but dropping a 6-3, 3-6, 8-10, outing to Vandy's James Moye.

Middle Tennessee plays its final team event of the fall at the ITA Southeast Championships in Lexington, Ky., starting Thursday.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 6, MEMPHIS 0
1. (32) Andreas Siljestrom (MT) def. Charlie Ramsay (MEM), 6-4, 7-5
2. (88) Marco Born (MT) def. Benny Fischer (MEM), 6-2, 4-6, 10-8
3. Marc Rocafort (MT) def. Jimmy Khougassian (MEM), 6-4, 6-4
4. Morgan Richard (MT) def. Amrit Narasimhan (MEM), 6-4, 6-4
5. Joao Pailiello (MT) def. Cody Loup (MEM), 6-1, 6-4
6. Marc Boiron (MT) def. Tezar Putra (MEM), 6-2, 6-0

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 4, VANDERBILT 2
1. (32) Andreas Siljestrom (MT) def. (28) Ryan Preston (VU), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 10-6
2. (88) Marco Born (MT) def. Evan Dufaux (VU), 6-3, 6-3
3. Marc Rocafort (MT) def. Vijay Paul (VU), 6-2, 6-1
4. Morgan Richard (MT) def. Nathan Sachs (VU), 6-4, 6-0
5. Scott Lieberman (VU) def. Joao Pailiello (MT), 6-4, 6-1
6. James Moye (VU) def. Marc Boiron (MT), 3-6, 6-3, 10-8