Featured Photo by Vanessa Hamel
Story by Will Phillips
MTSU tennis kicked off its fall 2024 season with the first-ever Blue Raider Invite. The Blue Raiders had a strong showing as they welcomed the likes of Indiana, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Lipscomb and Tennessee Tech to the MTSU Outdoor Tennis Facility.
MTSU started the weekend strong, facing off against the Indiana Hoosiers first. Like previous years, the Blue Raiders came out guns blazing, winning all three of their doubles matches.
Finishing their match in dramatic fashion, Jakub Kroslak and Rostislav Halfinger would go to tiebreak, proving their ability to perform in the clutch, with a huge slam to win the match point.
Sophomore Kroslak proved why he was selected CUSA Freshman of the Year in 2023. With such high expectations for his second year at MTSU, he lived up to the hype and showcased huge potential for this upcoming season.
“I will try to win matches and that’s it,” Kroslak said. “We will see what will come with that. I am not trying to accomplish something big. I am just going from match to match and maybe with winning matches, I will accomplish something bigger. I will see.”
The match progressed into singles where Halfinger and Igor Mandou Berranger earned their second wins of the day.
South Alabama transfer and MTSU newcomer, Halfinger proved his ability to adjust on the fly in his MTSU debut. Once again Halfinger showed his ability to fight through adversity and get the job done, defeating Indiana’s Ben Pomegranates 6-2, 7-6.
“Yeah, I was playing not the best tennis in the second set,” Halfinger said. “The guy broke me the first game of the second set and we were kind of tied when he was serving for the match. I was (down) Love-40 down on my serve, 5-3 for him. Then Jimmy went to the court and said you have to play your game, you have to trust your game. Come in more, you’re a big guy. So, I was kind of like trust him, like what he said, and yeah.”
Halfinger proved to be a powerhouse throughout the weekend. Demonstrating his ability to perform late in the match and dominate the net with his size, he looks to be a huge addition to this already experienced Blue Raider group.
“It feels amazing,” Halfinger said. “I want to keep going, want to keep winning. When I have good experience on that team going to bring some W’s and yeah, I want to finish my last year strong.”
The matches continued Saturday when MTSU faced their in-state opponent, the Tennessee Volunteers. Matches were interrupted and moved indoors to the Adams Tennis Complex due to weather conditions.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the Blue Raiders were never able to take advantage of opportunities and were outplayed in both doubles and singles matches. Although the loss was disappointing to the team, they demonstrated great potential and mental toughness.
Matches continued into Sunday with MTSU facing off against Vanderbilt. The rejuvenated Blue Raiders looked hungry to redeem themselves.
MTSU bounced back in emphatic fashion proving why they’ve won five straight Conference USA titles. Pushing the pace and turning up the heat, MTSU secured their second victory of the weekend.
With so much young talent the future appears bright for this Blue Raider team. Coach Jimmy Borendame is sure that despite the loss of multiple talented seniors the next generation is ready to step up and take this program to new heights.
“You know we lost three in Leo, Demis, and Javi,” Borendame said. “Really good players, good people. We were able to add Rosti and we have a really good player coming in January.” Asked how his off-season moves will help continue the program’s success. You know I don’t know, that’s a pretty big picture thing and I’ve just stuck with my guns which is like add good people, kids that love tennis, that I want to be around, that want to get better, and then you know coach them up try to help them get better every day.”
Other offseason moves such as adding Josh McDermott to the coaching staff proved valuable throughout the weekend.
“I coached against Coach Josh 2-3 years at a fall tournament,” Borendame said. “I’m pretty intense and I sensed he was just as intense. I remember thinking I kind of liked the little tough streak he had and so I kept him in mind. I was looking for someone that wants to get better, grow and teach me some things and learn from me as well. So far it’s been really good and it’s just going to get better.”
An electric atmosphere surrounded the highly anticipated return of MTSU tennis. The crowd was buzzing with fans and alumni cheering on the Blue Raiders.
The team had a large presence of graduates/former players on the sidelines and in the stands bolstering this year’s team. Veterans including Javier Cueto Ramos, Leo Raquin and Demis Taramonlis were among this group.
“Yeah, you know it’s pretty cool having Demis, Leo, and Javi hanging out part of the program,” Borendame said. “They’re such good dudes and they are really team guys. I’ve noticed right away that these guys are really pretty close. I think it helps having them around just because they are all great personalities. You can hear them chirping in the crowd the whole time so that’s key. You know we still need some leaders to pop up that are on the team, and you know they’ll help with that development.”
After five straight championship seasons it’s easy to think the program might get complacent, but Borendame assures this is not the case. Blue Raider tennis looks to break new records and set their sights even higher this upcoming season.
“The team came up with a team theme, the team theme is We Unite,” Borendame said. “Each letter in the words We Unite stands for a process-oriented goal and then 16, we unite 16, programs never gone to the round of 16 ever in the history of the program. We’ve been to the round of 32 three years in a row you know we want to break barriers and so that the outcome goal. But you know I look at it like I just want to get my guys to become respectable honorable men and compete and represent Middle Tennessee with class. You know that’s what I preach, I hope that’s my end goal. Like results we want to get to round of 16 NCAA tournament at least hopefully farther we’ll see.”
With such a young, talent-rich team, it looks like Blue Raider tennis will continue to dominate as they look to reach heights the program has never seen before.
Will Phillips is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines
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