#31 Tennis Bulldogs Continue Homestand Sunday Vs. Middle Tennessee
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Looking to extend a three-match winning streak, Mississippi State's 31st-ranked men's tennis team will host 45th-ranked Middle Tennessee Sunday on campus. Match time between the Bulldogs and Blue Raiders is set for 1 p.m. CT at State's A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. In case of inclement weather, the contest will be moved indoors to MSU's McCarthy Gymnasium.
MSU (5-2) has reeled off consecutive victories over 21st-ranked Tulane, 49th-ranked South Alabama and Memphis since a 2-2 start to the season. The Bulldogs are 4-0 at home this year.
Middle Tennessee will enter Sunday's contest with an 8-2 overall record. The Blue Raiders' only losses this season came at No. 48 Louisville earlier in the year and versus fifth-ranked Mississippi on Saturday in Oxford.
Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee have met on the tennis court 15 times in recorded history, with the Bulldogs holding a perfect 15-0 mark against the Blue Raiders. The schools have met 12 times in the last 13 years, but did not square off in 2004. State won the last meeting between the teams 5-2 in Starkville in 2003.
"Even though we have been very successful against Middle Tennessee in the past, they always have always had a tough team to beat and this year is no different," MSU head coach Sylvain Guichard said. "(Coach) Dale (Short) has another talented team this season and that is evidenced by their record thus far. We will have to be focused to beat them. And, again, we encourage our fans to come out and support us."
Following Sunday's matchup, State will conclude its current five-match homestand this coming weekend by opening the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule. MSU will entertain No. 14 Kentucky this Friday, March 4, at 2 p.m. before welcoming No. 17 Vanderbilt next Sunday, March 6, at 1 p.m.