Four Bulldogs earned spots for the final ITA National Rankings of 2017.
MSU’s Sophomore Quartet Earns Final ITA Singles & Doubles Rankings
May 31, 2017 | Men's Tennis
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Capping off an amazing season for the Maroon & White on the court, Mississippi State men's tennis had four representatives in Wednesday's final ITA National Rankings of the 2017 season, with the sophomore quartet of Nuno Borges, Niclas Braun, Trevor Foshey and Strahinja Rakic all earning spots.
No. 3 Borges and No. 119 Rakic earned final singles rankings, with the No. 13 duo of Braun and Foshey rounding out the pack with a final doubles ranking. The No. 3 spot for Borges was the program's highest singles finish since 2001 (Marco Baron), while the No. 13 ranking for Braun and Foshey was the highest doubles finish in program history since 2000.
"This is a very special group, and we knew they would do big things this season," head coach Matt Roberts said. "They're all roommates and battled all season long for their team and each other. They came into the fall with a fire and desire to get better and they did just that this season. We're looking forward to seeing what they can do as juniors now."
Borges, who was the only Bulldog to make back-to-back appearances in the ITA final singles rankings after finishing last season at No. 70, is fresh off his incredible run at the NCAA Singles Championship. The Bulldog earned MSU's first semifinal finish in program history as he reeled off four wins in Athens.
Despite opening the fall at No. 43, Borges spent the entire spring in the Top 10 and did not drop below No. 8. The No. 3 ranking ties a career high for Borges that he's achieved now three times this season. The Maia, Porto, Portugal native earned a 36-7 record overall in singles play, on his way to All-American, SEC Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team honors. The 36 victories for Borges rank as the fourth most in a single season at MSU.
Joining Borges in the singles rankings was Rakic, who secured the No. 119 spot to cap a stellar sophomore campaign. The Bulldog climbed as high as No. 110 on March 21 and spent five releases in the rankings. This season, Rakic earned a 20-13 record overall to finish second behind Borges. Rakic earned Second Team All-SEC honors as well this season.
In doubles play, the sophomore tandem of Braun and Foshey closed out their sensational season with a No. 13 ranking. The pair joined Borges in Athens this past week, after reaching the NCAA Doubles Championship Round of 16 before falling in a valiant effort. This season, the duo has climbed as high as No. 8 overall and spent 10 releases ranked. On the year, the pair finished 20-14 overall, while earning 10 ranked wins in the process. Braun also earned Second Team All-SEC honors to add to his impressive resume in 2017.
As a team, the 18th-ranked Bulldogs earned the most wins in program history since 1998 after turning in a 21-9 mark for 2017. The Bulldogs secured their seventh-straight NCAA bid with a trip to Norman, Okla., but their run was cut short by No. 14 Oklahoma in the second round. The Maroon & White also advanced to the SEC finals for the first time since 1996, before dropping a tough 4-3 decision to Georgia.
Up Next
The Maroon & White now shifts focus to the final ITA Regional standings, which will be released on June 7.
Additional Notes
Social Media
For more information on the Mississippi State men's tennis program, follow "HailStateMT" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
No. 3 Borges and No. 119 Rakic earned final singles rankings, with the No. 13 duo of Braun and Foshey rounding out the pack with a final doubles ranking. The No. 3 spot for Borges was the program's highest singles finish since 2001 (Marco Baron), while the No. 13 ranking for Braun and Foshey was the highest doubles finish in program history since 2000.
"This is a very special group, and we knew they would do big things this season," head coach Matt Roberts said. "They're all roommates and battled all season long for their team and each other. They came into the fall with a fire and desire to get better and they did just that this season. We're looking forward to seeing what they can do as juniors now."
Borges, who was the only Bulldog to make back-to-back appearances in the ITA final singles rankings after finishing last season at No. 70, is fresh off his incredible run at the NCAA Singles Championship. The Bulldog earned MSU's first semifinal finish in program history as he reeled off four wins in Athens.
Despite opening the fall at No. 43, Borges spent the entire spring in the Top 10 and did not drop below No. 8. The No. 3 ranking ties a career high for Borges that he's achieved now three times this season. The Maia, Porto, Portugal native earned a 36-7 record overall in singles play, on his way to All-American, SEC Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team honors. The 36 victories for Borges rank as the fourth most in a single season at MSU.
Joining Borges in the singles rankings was Rakic, who secured the No. 119 spot to cap a stellar sophomore campaign. The Bulldog climbed as high as No. 110 on March 21 and spent five releases in the rankings. This season, Rakic earned a 20-13 record overall to finish second behind Borges. Rakic earned Second Team All-SEC honors as well this season.
In doubles play, the sophomore tandem of Braun and Foshey closed out their sensational season with a No. 13 ranking. The pair joined Borges in Athens this past week, after reaching the NCAA Doubles Championship Round of 16 before falling in a valiant effort. This season, the duo has climbed as high as No. 8 overall and spent 10 releases ranked. On the year, the pair finished 20-14 overall, while earning 10 ranked wins in the process. Braun also earned Second Team All-SEC honors to add to his impressive resume in 2017.
As a team, the 18th-ranked Bulldogs earned the most wins in program history since 1998 after turning in a 21-9 mark for 2017. The Bulldogs secured their seventh-straight NCAA bid with a trip to Norman, Okla., but their run was cut short by No. 14 Oklahoma in the second round. The Maroon & White also advanced to the SEC finals for the first time since 1996, before dropping a tough 4-3 decision to Georgia.
Up Next
The Maroon & White now shifts focus to the final ITA Regional standings, which will be released on June 7.
Additional Notes
- Nuno Borges is just the fourth Bulldog in program history to finish the season with a Top 3 singles ranking
- Borges joins Marco Baron (No. 1), Thomas Dupre (No. 1) and Laurent Orsini (No. 3) as the only Bulldogs to earn Top 3 final singles rankings
- Only five doubles teams at MSU have earned higher final rankings than Niclas Braun and Trevor Foshey
- Braun/Foshey join Marco Baron/Charles Sievigny (2000; t10th) Simon Larose/Matt Pledger (1997; No. 8), Laurent Miquelard/Joc Simmons (1994; No. 2), Daniel Couecol/Laurent Miquelard (1993; No. 4), Roy Moscattini/Juan Rios (1990; t10th), Mark Jeffery/Mihnea Nastase (1988; No. 10) as the only doubles duos to earn at least a No. 13 or higher in the final doubles ranking
- This is the first season since 2000 (Marco Baron 7th, Marco Baron/Charles Sevigny t10th) that MSU has had at least one singles player and one doubles team ranked No. 13 or higher in the final release
- 2017 marks the fifth season overall that MSU has had at least one singles and one doubles team ranked No. 13 or higher, joining 2000, 1997, 1994 & 1993
Social Media
For more information on the Mississippi State men's tennis program, follow "HailStateMT" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Men's Tennis | 2026 NCAA Tournament Media Session - Matt Roberts
Friday, May 01
Men's Tennis | Matt Roberts Michigan State Presser
Saturday, May 03
Men's Tennis | Matt Roberts & Niccolo Baroni
Friday, May 02
Men's Tennis | Matt Roberts - NCAA Selection Show
Monday, April 28