NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team opened the 2018 season with a 4-3 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
Two freshmen made their Vanderbilt debuts as Maxwell Freeman and George Harwell competed in singles and doubles for the black and gold. Harwell, a Nashville native, clinched the victory for Vanderbilt in his first collegiate dual match. In addition, junior Cameron Klinger rejoined the singles and doubles lineup for his first match since suffering a season-ending injury in 2017.
Vandy opened Friday’s competition in a 1-0 hole as the Commodores dropped matches on courts one and two. No. 36-ranked Lachlan McPhee and Billy Rowe fell to Tom Moonen and Chris Edge, 6-4. The Blue Raiders clinched the point advantage at No. 2 doubles as Miguel Negre and Luis Morello defeated Klinger and Freeman; 6-3. Daniel Valent and Harwell were tied at 5-all at the clinch.
In singles play, Klinger and Valent raced to victories on courts two then one, respectively, as both student-athletes limited their opponents to just two games which came in their second sets.
Following a Blue Raider victory on court four over Rowe, Middle Tennessee tied the match score to 2-all. Baker Newman gave VU the 3-2 edge with a 6-2, 6-2 win on court three before MT leveled the score once more to 3-all with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory against Freeman on court five.
Harwell delivered the final punch on court six to lock down the Commodores’ first win of the season. The freshman defeated Rouch in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
Vanderbilt returns to action this Sunday when it faces Michigan State at noon and Lipscomb at 4 p.m. CT.
Vanderbilt 4, Middle Tennessee 3
Doubles
1) Tom Moonen/Chris Edge (MT) def. #36 Billy Rowe/Lachlan McPhee (VU); 6-4
2) Miguel Negre/Gonzalo Morell (MT) def. Cameron Klinger/Max Freeman (VU); 6-3
3) Daniel Valent/George Harwell (VU) vs. Max Raugh/Nicolas Buitrago (MT); 5-5
Order of Finish; 1, 2*
Singles
1) Daniel Valent (VU) def. Tom Moonen (MT); 6-0, 6-2
2) Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Gonzalo Morell (MT); 6-0, 6-2
3) Baker Newman (VU) def. Miguel Negre (MT); 6-2, 6-2
4) Chris Edge (MT) def. Billy Rowe (VU); 7-5, 6-3
5) Gian Issa (MT) def. Max Freeman (VU); 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
6) George Harwell (VU) def. Max Raugh (MT); 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish; 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 6*
