Table of Contents Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

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1 General Information Location...Murfreesboro, Tenn. Enrollment...22,863 Founded Nickname... Blue Raiders Colors...Royal Blue and White President...Dr. Sidney A. McPhee Director of Athletics... Chris Massaro Sr. Women s Admin.... Diane Turnham Athletics Phone / Web site...goblueraiders.com Conference...Sun Belt Home Courts...Buck Bouldin TC Indoor Facility... Racquet Club Media Relations Director...Mark Owens Asst./Women s Tennis... Jo Jo Freeman Freeman s ...jfreeman@mtsu.edu Freeman s Office Phone / Freeman s Home Phone / Assistant... Tony Stinnett Assistant... Denise Gideon Media Relations Fax / Mailing Address...MTSU Box 20 Murfreesboro, TN Overnight Address Greenland Drive Murfreesboro, TN Coaching Staff Head Coach...Alison Ojeda Alma Mater/Year...Tennessee/2002 Record at MT (one year) Career Record (one year) Ojeda Office Phone / Assistant... Melissa Schaub Team Information Dual Match Record Sun Belt Finish... 9th National ITA Poll Finish...NA Postseason...NA Letterwinners Returning/Lost... 5/1 Starters Returning/Lost... 5/1 Middle Tennessee, a Tennessee Board of Regents university, is an equal opportunity, nonracially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. SP Table of Contents Roster Sun Belt Championships NCAA Championships...2 Guide to College Tennis...3 Middle Tennessee Facilities...4 Buck Bouldin Tennis Center...4 Racquet Club of Murfreesboro...4 Coaches & Players Head Coach Alison Ojeda...6 Assistant Melissa Schaub...7 Trainer Brandi Bashor...7 Strength Coach Matt Riley...7 Senior Hala Sufi...8 Junior Ann-Kristin Siljestrom...9 Junior Claudia Szabo...10 Sophomore Marlene Chemin...11 Sophomore Pooja Kommireddi...12 Sophomore Elvira Yusupova...13 Freshman Emmanuelle Cruz...14 Freshman Shannon Hartmann...14 Freshman Stephanie Parkison Review Season Review Statistics Match-by-Match Results Middle Tennessee History All-Conference...22 Conference Championships...22 Year-by-Year Results...23 NCAA Tournament History...24 All-Americans th Annual Pro-Am...25 Letterwinners...26 All-Time Records...27 Record vs. Opponents...28 The University Middle Tennessee University President...32 Director of Athletics...33 Academic Center...34 Sports Medicine...35 Strength & Conditioning...36 Community Service...37 Scarlett Commons...38 Dining Facilities...39 Nashville...40 City of Murfreesboro...41 Sun Belt Conference...42 GoBlueRaiders.com...43 Traditions...44 CREDITS The Blue Raider Women s Tennis Media Guide is a production of the Middle Tennessee Athletic Media Relations Department. The guide was written and designed by the Media Relations Office. Printing provided by Franklin Graphics in Nashville, Tenn. Special thanks to Middle Tennessee Photographic Services (Jack Ross and J. Intintoli) and MTSU Publications and Graphics. Also special thanks to Bradley Lambert and Dan Anderson for photos. Covers designed by David Lowry of DGL Grafix in Nashville, Tenn. MISSION STATEMENT The Middle Tennessee athletic program is committed to quality athletics that bring the campus community together and promote a sense of pride and tradition in academic and athletic excellence. These programs also bring the University regional and national recognition and provide a link between the University, its alumni, and the community at large. They give students, faculty, and alumni opportunities for innovative public service activities that better the community. Athletics uses financial and physical resources to maintain and develop sports programs to accomplish the mission of the University Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 1

2 Roster/Media Outlets Primary Media Outlets Daily News Journal PO Box 68 Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX Adam Sparks (Beat Writer) The Tennessean 1100 Broadway Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX Associated Press 215 Centerview Dr., Suite 110 Brentwood, TN / ; 615/ FAX Sidelines MTSU Box 42 Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX WKRN-TV (Ch. 2 ABC) 441 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX WSMV-TV (Ch. 4 NBC) PO Box 4 Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX WTVF-TV (Ch. 5 CBS) 474 James Robertson Pkwy. Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX Roster Name Ht. Cl. Hometown/High School (Last School) Marlene Chemin 5-9 SO Augsberg, Germany/Fachoberschule Emmanuelle Cruz 5-2 FR Beziers, France/Escuela ISPE Shannon Hartmann 5-5 FR Lexington, Ky./Home School Pooja Kommireddi 5-9 SO Hyderabad, India/Hyderabad Public School Stephanie Parkison 5-6 FR Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 5-8 JR Stockholm, Sweden/Norra Real Hala Sufi 5-4 SR Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills HS (Purdue) Claudia Szabo 5-5 JR Morwell, Australia/St. Paul s Grammar Elvira Yusupova 5-5 SO Ufa, Russia/Linguistic Gymnasium Head Coach: Alison Ojeda Assistant Coach: Melissa Schaub Athletic Trainer: Brandi Bashor Stringer: Alexander Mitchell Marlene Chemin Pooja Kommireddi Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Hala Sufi Claudia Szabo Elvira Yusupova Pronunciation Guide mar-lean-aa SHUH-mon (light) POOH-juh COMB-uh-ready SIL-strum HOLL-uh SUE-Fee ZAY-bo el-veer-uh YOU-suh-po-vuh WZTV-TV (Ch. 17 FOX) 631 Mainstream Dr. Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX MTTV MTSU Box 58 Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX The Zone PO Box Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX WGNS-1450 AM 306 S. Church St. Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX The Fan 107 Music City Cir., Ste. 203 Nashville, TN / ; 615/ FAX WMOT-89.5 FM MTSU Box 3 Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX WMTS-88.3 FM MTSU Box 58 Murfreesboro, TN / ; 615/ FAX NCAA Team-Singles-Doubles Championships May 19-28/Athens, GA Who May Attend This camp is designed to provide a learning environment for ages 5 to 18 (beginner-advanced). Its purpose is primarily to teach the fundamentals of the game. We hope that everyone who attends has an enjoyable and fun time and will continue to progress during the summer. In order to run the camp effectively, we are limiting applications to 40 campers per session. Early registration is recommended. Camp Cost: $310 A 10 percent discount applies to the following: Early registration - May 10th Two or more from the same family Attendance for two weeks Middle Tennessee State University employees Group Discounts for Teams Call Assistant Director Alison Ojeda for team discounts Sun Belt Conference Championships April 20-22/Denton, TX 2007 Middle Tennessee Tennis Camps Registration Send fee to the address below: Coach Alison Ojeda MTSU Box 465 Murfreesboro, TN For further inquiries or information, call 615/ After June 1, no refunds will be made Early Registration Early registration for all camps is May 10 Any interested overnight campers please call for further information Registration Deadlines Camp I (June 11-15) June 1 Camp II (June 18-22) June 8 Camp III (June 25-29) June 15 Insurance/Medical Coverage A secondary accident insurance package is included in the camp fee. Our insurance covers expenses that your policy will not pay. Every effort will be made to protect the health and safety of each camper Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

3 Although collegiate tennis has been dubbed by many as a spring sport, the truth is tennis on the college level actually lasts throughout the traditional academic year. Several national tournaments and events are held in the fall in addition to the normal dual match team schedule, which is played in the spring. The collegiate tennis year begins in September and ends in May both for Middle Tennessee and the rest of the college tennis world. THE FALL The fall season, which is basically September through November, consists entirely of individual play, in which players compete for individual championships, usually in flighted tournaments consisting of one to four divisions. Players are placed in these divisions based on their talent level and the talent level of each tournament s field. Highlighting the fall slate are two major national tournaments the National Indoor Championships and the All-American Championships the first two (of three) legs of the Collegiate Grand Slam. The National Indoor Championships are held every year in early November and usually conclude the fall season, while the All-American Championships are held in early October each year. Each Grand Slam event showcases the nation s top players in singles and doubles. The Grand Slam began in 1986, and since that time Middle Tennessee has consistently placed players in its tournaments. Singles and doubles records from the fall carry over into the spring and count toward a player s national ranking for the remainder of the academic season. THE SPRING In January, teams move into the dual match team season, although there are a few individual tournaments remaining to be played. Individual Blue Raiders compete in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, held immediately following the NCAA Team Championships each May. The dual match (see section DUAL MATCHES for explanation) team season for the Blue Raiders begins in mid-january with nonconference matches against tough national opponents as well as regional and in-state foes. The Sun Belt Championships, held each year at the end of April, determine the conference champion. The winner of the eight-team tournament wins the SBC title. All team results from the regular season and SBC Championships count toward Middle Tennessee s chances at making the NCAA Team Championship field, which determines the national champion. The NCAAs started a new format in 1999, consisting of 16 four-team regionals and the finals, featuring the 16 regional winners. The NCAA Regionals are hosted by different schools each year. The NCAA Team Championship finals have historically been held at the University of Georgia and still are on a consistent basis. In recent seasons, however, the NCAAs have moved out of Athens more frequently. The 1994 tournament was held at the University of Notre Dame and in 1997 was at UCLA. Guide to College Tennis The 2002 and 2004 tournaments were at Texas A&M, and this year s event will take place in Palo Alto, Calif. Middle Tennessee has made the NCAA Team Championships field in seven of the past 11 seasons, advancing to the second round in 1997 and DUAL MATCHES A dual match is two teams competing against one another. A dual match lineup consists of six singles positions and three doubles positions. Typically the No. 1 position is considered the best player or doubles team on a squad and so on down the lineup. The current dual match format, adopted in 1993, starts with doubles and concludes with singles. Dual matches award seven total points one in doubles and six in singles. In doubles, three pro set matches are played (in pro sets, teams must win eight games by at least a two-game margin). Whichever team wins two of the three doubles matches gets one point toward the final team score. After a 10-minute intermission, singles play begins and six matches are played. Regular sets (first to six by two) are utilized and a player must win two out of three sets to win. The winner in each match receives one point toward the final team score. THE ITA The Intercollegiate Tennis Association is the governing body of college tennis. Formed in 1956 as the National Collegiate Tennis Coaches Association, it became the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association in 1958 and adopted its current moniker in July of Originally formed as a vehicle for coaches to voice ideas and opinions to the NCAA, it now sponsors a number of national championships, the All-America team, and the ITA The ITA National Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in Athens, Ga., captures the history of college tennis, with photo displays and newspaper clippings of the college game s best players and teams. (Photo courtesy of Georgia Media Relations) Collegiate Rankings. The ITA is made up of eight regions (I-VIII) divided by states. Middle Tennessee is in Region III, which includes Division I schools from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The ITA has an executive director (currently Princeton s David Benjamin), a board of directors (21 coaches), and numerous standing committees. ITA RANKINGS The Intercollegiate Tennis Rankings, compiled by the ITA, are the official national and regional rankings for men s and women s intercollegiate tennis. The rankings are released by the ITA office in Princeton, New Jersey. In the fall, there is a preseason ranking (released in September) for individuals only. The fall edition (released in January) includes individuals and the first team ranking of the season. During the spring, the team rankings will be released every week beginning January 10, The first individual rankings of the spring will be also be released January 10 and are released every other week starting February 22. The final rankings of 2007 will be released June 2. The ITA contact for tennis is CASEY ANGLE. The rankings include the top 75 teams in the country, the top 100 singles players, and the top 50 doubles teams. There are two ways the rankings are determined during the year the ITA National Ranking Committee and the average-points-per-match formula, which computes a player s overall win/loss record with extra points for wins over ranked players and bonus points for participation in certain tournaments, such as Grand Slam events. The preseason individual rankings and the team rankings for the first part of the spring are voted on by the National Ranking Committee. All other rankings are determined by the formula. COLLEGIATE TENNIS HALL OF FAME The elite players from women s college tennis are recognized in the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, located at the University of Georgia in Athens. The facility was a gift from country music star Kenny Rogers and then wife Marianne, an Athens native. It opened May 16, 1984, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Tennis Championships. The Hall of Fame captures the history of college tennis, with photo displays and newspaper clippings of the college game s best players and teams. Racquets used by former collegians are also on display, and film clips from past NCAA Championship matches are available. Middle Tennessee s Daniel Klemetz, who won the 2002 All-American Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn., has his winning racquet displayed in the museum. The curator of the museum is Dan Magill, longtime head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, who won two NCAA titles and 13 SEC championships in 34 years at UGA Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 3

4 Tennis Facilities tennis courts, including resurfacing and new windscreens, during the summer of 2006, funded by private donations and fundraising by the tennis program. It s something that really needed to be done for not only our varsity courts but to all of the tennis courts in the complex, head coach Dale Short said. All of the courts look much nicer, but more importantly should be the same as far as pace and bounce of the tennis ball. It also gives us more flexibility with our tennis teams for practice and matches and helps tremendously whenever we host tournaments. New blue windscreen were added to the previously green courts after the resurfacing was done on all 14 courts. Derrick Barton Tennis Court Construction did the work. The Tennis Center, also includes offices, team rooms, restrooms, an equipment storage facility, and a patio/reception area for viewing and the posting of events. The remaining eight courts are for University and public use and are lighted. In addition to hosting Middle Tennessee matches, the complex has played host to numerous Ohio Valley Conference championships, and various state and regional USTA events. Buck Bouldin Tennis Center Middle Tennessee s tennis center consists of 14 courts, with six newly renovated varsity courts finished during the fall of The eight courts closest to Murphy Center were resurfaced with three inches of asphalt late that summer. These eight courts were converted to just six courts and are used as the varsity courts for both the men s and women s tennis teams at Middle Tennessee. The new varsity courts are outfitted with divider fencing between each and are painted blue with gray outlines. New blue windscreens with the MT logo line the fences around the complex, and there is a walkway between the varsity courts and the remaining eight. Also, bleacher seating with canopies was built in the middle for fans at the varsity courts. The $150,000 project was completed at the beginning of September 2001, just in time for the 15th Annual Pro-Am. The Buck Bouldin Tennis Center underwent another $50,000 upgrade to the 14 Racquet Club Since 1999, Middle Tennessee and the Racquet Club of Murfreesboro have had an agreement that gives the Blue Raider tennis programs priority access to the indoor facility. This facility is a great boost to the program, allowing for indoor instruction and home matches during the inclement winter months when the tennis teams are unable to get outdoors. Having an indoor facility is a necessity in collegiate tennis and we have an outstanding facility right in our backyard, said Coach Dale Short. The indoor facility also serves as an alternate location in case of bad weather during the outdoor season. The Racquet Club has eleven courts: four hardcourts, three clay courts and four indoor courts Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

5 Dang ole Right facing page Coaches & Players Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 5

6 Head Coach Alison Ojeda Alison Ojeda begins her second season at Middle Tennessee after leading the Blue Raiders to seven victories in her first year as a head coach. Ojeda took over the program on June 22, 2005, as the sixth head coach in the history of the program and the third in three years. Ojeda inherited a roster with just two returning players but quickly set out to groom the club for success. It s great to be back in Tennessee. It s a second home for me, Ojeda said. My college coach [Mike Patrick, a former Blue Raider] speaks very highly of Middle Tennessee and I felt like I was ready to become a head coach. There is a lot of potential here and I m really excited about the job and the possibilities within the program. Ojeda was an assistant coach at Alabama in 2005 and served two years at Texas A&M, earning the 2004 Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year honor. Alabama fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and finished the year ranked 38th nationally. TAMU posted a record during her two seasons in College Station, winning Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and making a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including reaching the Sweet 16 in We re excited to have Alison join our team at Middle Tennessee, Massaro said. I was extremely impressed with her Division I recruiting experiences at Alabama and Texas A&M. Alison knows what winning at a high level is all about, and she shares our goal in reaching national prominence like our men s program. While at Texas A&M, Ojeda helped the Aggies finish the 2004 season ranked 16th in the nation. She also coached four All-Big 12 players and one All-American, Jessica Roland. Ojeda spent eight months on the WTA tour in 2004 between her stops as an assistant at Texas A&M and Alabama. She also was the tournament founder and director for the College Station Open, a 64-player open level tournament, during her time as an Aggie. The San Antonio, Texas, native enjoyed a stellar playing career at the University of Tennessee, posting 102 singles and 100 doubles victories. She earned All- America honors in singles as a junior, was a four-time Academic All-SEC selection, and was voted the national recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Humanitarian Award and Cissie B. Leary Leadership and Sportsmanship Award in The Cissie B. Leary Award is presented to someone who displays inspiring commitment and dedication to her team, enhancinc the team s performance and exemplifying the spirit of college tennis. Ojeda was the Southeast Region winner of the Cissie B. Leary Award as a junior, as well. Ojeda was also a three-time SEC Sportsmanship Award honoree. During her senior year, she helped captain UT s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four. Ojeda finished her career ranked 26th in the country in singles and 59th in doubles. She finished ranked No. 23 in singles and No. 16 in doubles as a junior, making the NCAA Individual Championships in both events and leading UT to its first-ever SEC championship match appearance. The Lady Vols finished the year ranked No. 6 nationally, the team s first Top 10 final ranking in 25 years. As a sophomore, she ended the year ranked 38th in singles and 21st in doubles, making her first NCAA Championships appearance in both singles and doubles. She posted a combined mark as a freshman, picking up Tennessee s lone point in the NCAA Team Championships in a loss to Stanford. Ojeda garnered First Team All-SEC honors in singles as a junior and Second Team accolades in doubles as a sophomore. She is one of only three players in Lady Vols history to post more than 100 victories in both singles and doubles. Ojeda was a three-time all-state selection at Douglas MacArthur High School and registered a combined singles and doubles mark. She reached the finals of the state tournament as a senior before falling in the title match and also advanced to the state tourney as a sophomore and junior. She played in the Sugar Bowl Tournament and National Indoor Championships in Ojeda is single and resides in Murfreesboro. She has two sisters, Kellie 30 and Lauren Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

7 Melissa Schaub Melissa Schaub, a former All-American doubles player at the University of Tennessee, begins her first year on the Middle Tennessee women s tennis staff as an assistant coach for the season. Schaub earned All-America honors in doubles as a freshman at Tennessee, compiling a 20-8 dual mark and a doubles record during the campaign for former Blue Raider Mike Patrick. Schaub and partner Vilmarie Castellvi defeated 10 ranked foes during the season, earning Second Team All-SEC honors and a No. 4 national seed in the NCAA Championships. The duo finished the year ranked sixth in the country. Schaub also enjoyed her best season in singles as a freshman, posting a mark, including in dual outings. The Lexington, Ohio, native battled injuries during her sophomore and junior seasons, playing mostly doubles and amassing a dual match record. As a senior, Schuab played the 2 and 3 singles positions for most of the year before moving to the top spot in early April. She was 3-0 at the SEC Tournament and garnered SEC Player of the Week honors. Schaub became just the 10th Lady Vol in school history to earn 70 career doubles victories with a triumph against Ole Miss and ended the season ranked 44th in the nation in doubles with partner Ghizela Schutte in She was also a member of the SEC Good Works Team and SEC Academic Honor Roll as a senior. Assistant/Support Staff Cedric Walthaw Cedric Walthaw is in his 10th season overall working with Blue Raider student-athletes as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. A 1996 graduate of Southern Mississippi, Walthaw oversees all areas of Middle Tennessee s fitness program, and his strong background in weight training has proven beneficial to Blue Raider athletes who have worked with him. Walthaw sets high goals for his student-athletes but makes the objectives manageable with rational workout programs. The former Southern Mississippi football standout is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the College Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and is a Level I Coach with the U.S. Weightlifting Federation. Walthaw began his career at Middle Tennessee as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach. His responsibilities included assisting the head strength coach in football training (strength, agility, flexibility, and conditioning). He also supervised and monitored strength and conditioning training with men s basketball, women s soccer, and men s tennis, while also designing workout programs and schedules. Walthaw was elevated to assistant strength and conditioning coach at Middle Tennessee in His primary responsibilities were serving as assistant head strength and conditioning coach for football, and he also served as the head strength and conditioning coach for men s basketball. He continued in this capacity until July Prior to joining the strength and conditioning staff at Middle Tennessee, Walthaw completed a student internship at Southern Mississippi. Walthaw was an All-Conference USA football standout as a linebacker at Southern Mississippi in 1996, and he was a member of the Golden Eagle squad from 1992 to He was team captain in 1995, when he finished as the team s fourth leading tackler with 87 total stops. He recorded single-game double-figure tackles three times 15 at Tennessee, 13 at Indiana, and 12 at Cincinnati. Walthaw also was named Liberty Bowl Alliance Defensive player of the week after recording 22 tackles, one for loss, and recovering a fumble against Virginia Tech during his sophomore year in He finished the season with 69 tackles despite missing three games with an injury. During his Southern Mississippi career, Walthaw recorded 166 solo tackles, 121 assists, 23 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks and had three fumble recoveries. Walthaw earned his bachelor of science in sports administration at Southern Mississippi in 1996 and his M.S. from Middle Tennessee in May He is single and resides in Murfreesboro. Brandi Bashor Brandi Bashor begins her second year in charge of sports medicine for the women s tennis program. Bashor joined Middle Tennessee athletics after three years as a certified athletic trainer at McLaren Sports Medicine/Brandon High School in Davison, Mich., working at both the clinic and with the high school athletes. Bashor graduated from the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, in 1998 with a degree in athletic training and a minor in psychology. She was a student trainer at Findlay from 1994 to 1998, working with the men s and women s soccer, softball, and swimming teams. Bashor is working on her master s at Middle Tennessee in sport management Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 7

8 Hala Sufi 5-4, Senior Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills HS (Purdue) (Senior) Fall: Posted 7-5 singles record, including 4-2 mark versus ranked opponents Won twice at Ole Miss Classic, including a victory over Nika Koukchartchouk, before falling to Georgia s 20th-ranked Natalie Frazier in semifinals Had four consecutive victories at ITA Southeast Championships before falling in semifinals Picked up wins over Duke s Parker Goyer, Wake Forest s 32ndranked Alexandra Hirsch, North Carolina s 117th-rated Austin Smith in three sets, and Clemson s No. 45 Carolina Salge, also in three sets Lost to Tennessee s Blakeley Griffith in semifinals Defeated Arizona State s 104th-ranked Rebecca Rankin and lost to Vanderbilt s 89th-rated Amanda Taylor at June Stewart Invitational Recorded 8-3 doubles mark, all with Claudia Szabo Duo won three of four outings at Ole Miss Classic, with victories over Arkansas-Little Rock (Bourgeon-Hirdle), Southern Miss (Serret-Blackett), and South Alabama (Stanic-Babicova) Won a pair of outings at ITA Southeast Championships over Longwood (Bucur-Triebskorn) and Clemson (Babic-van Adrichem) before falling in Round of 16 to Wake Forest (Jerman-Tara) Posted victories in three of four matches at June Stewart Invitational, defeating Florida International (Zabala-Castillo), Arizona State (Clarke-L. Abdula), and Louisville (Imre-White). Before Middle Tennessee: Compiled 52 singles and 50 doubles victories in three years at Purdue, playing No. 1 singles for most of her career Posted singles mark as freshman, as sophomore and slate as junior Tallied doubles mark as freshman, as sophomore and 14-9 as junior Posted three victories against Top 100 competition as freshman, including a three-set triumph over Notre Dame s 19th-ranked Alicia Salas Also defeated Arizona State s 43rd-ranked Saras Arasu Unanimous All- Big Ten selection as sophomore after compiling 6-4 mark in singles and 7-3 record in doubles in conference action Won five times that season against Top 100-ranked players, including a straight-set victory over Tennessee s 50th-ranked Sabita Maharaj Ranked as high as 71st in singles and finished the year No. 103, including 10th in the region Ranked nine of the 10 weeks during her sophomore year Began spring of junior season ranked 29th nationally in singles, her highest career ranking Had seven wins in the fall and four in the spring in singles and posted nine victories at No. 1 doubles. High School: First girl to ever win four Arizona Class 4A state championships and only the second player in Arizona to win four titles in any class Also four-time regional champion Ranked No. 1 in Southwest Region and 54th nationally in 18- and-under 2003 Tucson Citizen Player of the Year. Personal: Hala Ibtisam Sufi Daughter of Joanne and Nabeel Sufi Born August 9, 1985 Oldest of five children with younger brothers Faisal and Sameer and younger sisters Nooria and Zaina Majoring in University Studies with emphasis in Liberal Arts. Sufi s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

9 Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 5-8, Junior Stockholm, Sweden/ Norra Real (Junior) Fall: Posted three singles wins and five doubles victories All three singles triumphs came at Ole Miss Classic, where she defeated Brittany Serret of Southern Miss, Murray State s Anne Pennington, and Georgia s Lara Fakhoury Also had losses to Vanderbilt s 17th-ranked Amanda Fish, and Arizona State s 50th-ranked Amanda Clark and a three-set defeat to Florida International s Egle Petrauskite Posted 5-1 doubles mark with Marlene Chemin, including triumphs over Vanderbilt (Bertrand-Ferrell), and Arizona State (Abdula-Cappannalo) and two over Louisville (Gorbea-Baez, Klokotsky-van Aerde) at June Stewart Invitational (Sophomore) Fall: Posted 5-5 singles record and 7-4 doubles mark Half of singles matches were three sets, and she finished with a 2-3 record Split pair of matches at UTC Baras Classic, both in three sets Lost all four matches at UK Fall Invitational, two in three sets Came back with four-match winning streak to end the fall including victories over Ball State s Stephanie Farrar, Jacksonville State s Babette Lombardi, UT Martin s Elizma Schoonees, and teammate Marlene Chemin in championship of MT Fall Invitational Posted 4-3 mark in doubles with Claudia Szabo and 2-1 record with Pooja Kommireddi Siljestrom- Szabo won twice and reached finals of UTC Baras Classic before falling to Chattanooga (Adams- Zhokova) Duo split four matches at MT Fall Invite, posting wins over Belmont (Rhodes- Johansson) and Jacksonville State (Lopes-Abby) Lost first match but won final two at UK Fall Invite with Kommireddi, including victories over Marshall (Paradis-Asel) and East Tennessee (Byrne-Batsula). Spring: Posted 13-7 singles mark, playing 16 of 20 matches at No. 4 in the lineup Won four of her first five outings, with victories over UT-San Antonio s Karen Scida, Wichita State s Ana Ines Exeni, and Chattanooga s Bonnie Adams Defeated Troy s Annabelle Bares in three sets, one of seven three-set triumphs during the academic year Won three in a row at the beginning of March over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi s Lana Burton, Houston s Sonja Nikolic, and Murray State s Adriana Alvarez before dropping a straight-set decision to VCU s 80th-ranked Olga Borisova Lost in three sets to Indiana State s Fadzai Masiyazi in the midst of a four-match losing streak Rebounded with five consecutive wins to end the year, including three-set triumphs against Arkansas-Little Rock s Ellie Vicary, Arkansas State s Maria Oprea and UAB s Annemieke Elsholz Posted 8-12 dual match doubles mark, playing with Kelly Adams and Pooja Kommireddi Had 6-8 record with Adams, including victories over Chattanooga (Bragato-Knizat), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Schmidt- Abeaboeru), Memphis (Feichtinger-Wieser), and UAB (Esen-Elsholz) Compiled 3-2 mark with Kommireddi, including wins against UT-San Antonio (Drabkova-Kukla) and Wichita State (Browning-Richey) (Freshman) Spring: Enrolled in January Posted 15-6 dual match singles record, playing mostly at No. 4 Tallied 12-9 doubles dual match record playing at No. 1 with Jennifer Klaschka, earning All-Sun Belt honors Started the year with six straight victories, including a three-set triumph over 117th-ranked Nika Koukhartchouk of Ole Miss Defeated Penn State s Katelyn BeVard and Kristin Noble of Memphis Put together another five-match winning streak in April, including victories over Megan Schmulbach (North Texas), Annemieke Elsholz (UAB), and Nikhila Narra of Southern Miss Won four of first five doubles tilts with Klaschka, including wins over Louisville (Gracanin-Stewart) and fourth-ranked Kovacek-Gersic of New Mexico Picked up another win over 46th-ranked Marshall (Good- Hock) Ended year on five-match winning streak with victories over UAB (Esen-Maier- Knapp), Southern Miss (Narra-Price) and North Texas (Lee-Harris). Personal Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Daughter of Dana and Anders Siljestrom Born March 18, 1986, in Stockholm, Sweden Majoring in Business Administration Has played tennis since age six Currently plays club tennis for TSK Malmen in Stockholm Ranked 14th in U-18 in Sweden Brother, Andreas, plays for the Blue Raider men s team. Siljestrom s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 9

10 Claudia Szabo 5-5, Junior Morwell, Australia/St. Paul s Grammar (Junior) Fall: Posted one singles victory, against Murray State s Casady Pruitt, and lost to Stephanie Dellocono of Southern Miss at Ole Miss Classic Lost in first round of ITA Southeast Championships to Davidson s Michele Fanney Overhauled forehand completely before June Stewart Invitational, switching to two hands on both sides Recorded 8-3 doubles mark, all with Hala Sufi Duo won three of four outings at Ole Miss Classic with victories over Arkansas-Little Rock (Bourgeon-Hirdle), Southern Miss (Serret- Blackett), and South Alabama (Stanic- Babicova) Won a pair of outings at ITA Southeast Championships over Longwood (Bucur-Triebskorn) and Clemson (Babic-van Adrichem) before falling in Round of 16 to Wake Forest (Jerman-Tara) Posted victories in three of four matches at June Stewart Invitational, defeating Florida International (Zabala-Castillo), Arizona State (Clarke-L. Abdula), and Louisville (Imre-White) (Sophomore) Fall: Did not play singles because of a shoulder injury Posted 4-3 doubles record with Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Defeated Tennessee Tech (Carter-Ngiam) and East Tennessee (Ilina- Ziolkowska) before falling in finals to Chattanooga (Adams-Zhokova) at UTC Baras Classic Split four matches at MT Fall Invitational, posting wins over Belmont (Rhodes-Johansson) and Jacksonville State (Lopes-Abby). Spring: Posted 7-15 dual match singles record, playing 17 of 22 matches at No. 2 and the final five at No. 1 Compiled 7-10 mark at No. 2 Won four of first five outings, including victories over East Tennessee s Tara Byrne, Wichita State s Wendi Webster, and Chattanooga s Lindsey Ballard Webster and Ballard were both three-set wins Lost three straight, including a threesetter to Troy s Tsitsi Masviba, before winning 3 of 4, with triumphs against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi s Filippa Figueiredo and Murray State s Anne Pennington Lost her final 10 singles matches of the year, starting with a defeat to VCU s 44th-ranked Marianna Yuferova Dropped three-set decisions along the way to South Alabama s Jelena Krivacevic and Arkansas-Little Rock s Outi Jarvinen Posted 5-14 doubles mark in dual matches playing with Marlene Chemin, Kelly Adams, Ann-Kristin Siljestrom, and Elvira Yusupova Compiled 4-10 record with Chemin, with wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Figueiredo-Iriarte) and Murray State (Pruitt-Pennington) as well as victories over Arkansas-Little Rock (Bourgeon-Robinson) and Memphis (Tjioe-Cowie) Went 0-1 with Adams and Siljestrom and 1-2 with Yusupova, with a victory against UT-San Antonio (Wallin-Mooney) (Freshman) Fall: Posted 4-7 singles and 4-8 doubles record Lost both singles matches at St. Mary s Classic, the second one to N.C. State s Carmen Torres in three sets Lost twice but won a three-setter over Wisconsin s Lexi Gordon at Furman Fall Classic Defeated Indiana s Anastasia Sokolova and Lara Burgarello before dropping final two matches at UK Fall Invitational Split pair of matches at MT Fall Invitational Played doubles with Emily Vest, Ana Maria Cibils, and Jacqui Williams... Lost twice before defeating N.C. State (Barry-Barry) at St. Mary s Classic with Vest Dropped all three outings with Cibils at Furman Posted 3-3 mark with Williams, losing all three at Kentucky before winning three straight at MT Invitational, including victories over UAB (Maier-Knapp-Wild) and Memphis (Tijoe-Wieser) to win Flight B. Spring: Recorded 7-14 dual match singles record, playing all but three outings at Nos. 2 and 3 Defeated Belmont s Shivani Oberoi to start the season and Chattanooga s Kristie Wilson in three sets Picked up three-set victories over Penn State s Sarah Spence and Andrea Feichtinger of Memphis Won three of four to end the year, including wins over Jennifer Sibille of Southern Miss and Megan Schmulbach of North Texas Recorded 7-12 doubles mark with Williams, playing all but one match at No. 3 Won four of first six outings, with wins over Troy (Jones-Elsisi), New Mexico (Quintal-Robertson), and Ole Miss (Cochran-Koukartchouk) Lost 9-8 (2) to Penn State (Schular-McKeown) Defeated Memphis (Noble-Kohl), North Texas (Aba Butain-Schmulbach), and Murray State (Hall-McQueen) to end the year. High School Played No. 1 singles for St. Paul s Grammar, where she was undefeated in singles and doubles her junior and senior years... Captain of her high school s tennis team... Played for Victoria in Prizzy Cup... Participated in the ITF... Won Glen Iris Under 18 Junior Tennis Tournament... Reached the semifinals of the Australian Clay Courts Tournament... Played in Junior Australian Open Qualifying... Reached the quarterfinals in Darwin ITF Tournament in singles. Personal Claudia Szabo... Daughter of Catrina Szabo... Born January 19, Majoring in Management. Szabo s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

11 5-9, Sophomore Augsberg, Germany/ Fachoberschule (Sophomore) Fall: Posted pair of singles victories and six doubles wins Picked up singles triumphs over Arkansas-Little Rock s Hollie Robinson and Arizona State s Amanda Martin and also lost in three sets to Louisville s Natalie Baez Went 1-1 in doubles with Pooja Kommireddi and 5-1 with Ann-Kristin Siljestrom, including win over East Tennessee (Byrne-Batsula) in first round of ITA Southeast Championships Posted four straight victories at June Stewart Invitational, including triumphs over Vanderbilt (Bertrand-Ferrell), and Arizona State (Abdula-Cappannalo) and two over Louisville (Gorbea-Baez, Klokotsky-van Aerde) (Freshman) Fall: Recorded 6-4 singles mark, including five straight wins at one point Picked up victory in first collegiate match, defeating Christina Wieser of Memphis at UTC Baras Classic in Flight B Lost next match and first two at UK Fall Invitational in Group B Won final two outings at UK with triumphs over Shivani Dave of Illinois and Eastern Kentucky s Hannah Bartsch Picked up three consecutive wins at MT Fall Invitational in Flight B, including victories over Ball State s Katie Owens, UT Martin s Jeanne de Wet, and UAB s Samrin Tanzeem before falling in finals to teammate Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Posted 7-4 doubles mark with Kelly Adams Won twice at UTC before falling in finals to Jacksonville State (Abby-Lopes) Picked up triumphs over Ohio State (O Keefe-Voss), Marshall (Kever-Brown), and Denver (Sackmaster-Iwinski) before dropping 8-4 decision in finals to Kentucky s ninth-ranked duo (Coventry-Schwenk) at UK Lost first two at MT Invite before ending fall with two straight wins over Western Kentucky (Fulkerson-Robards) and Jacksonville State (Higgs-Dushner). Spring: Played No. 1 for 17 of the 21 matches, posting three victories in singles Defeated UT-Pan Am s Silke Buksik 6-4, 6-2 in San Antonio Also won 6-4, 3-6, 11-9 over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi s Carmen Abeaboeru and 7-5, 6-7 (3), 10-5 over UAB s Julia von Samson Suffered three-set loss to Troy s Rawia Elsisi Posted six victories in doubles, four with Claudia Szabo and two with Kelly Adams Had back-to-back wins with Szabo over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Figueiredo- Iriarte) and Murray State (Pruitt-Pennington) as well as victories over Arkansas-Little Rock (Bourgeon-Robinson) and Memphis (Tjioe-Cowie) Posted wins with Adams against UT-San Antonio (Hasking-Scida) and East Tennessee (Volobueva-Ziolkowski). Marlene Chemin Personal Marlene Madeleine Irma Chemin... Daughter of Marie Chemin Majoring in Psychology... Has two older brothers, Radek, 31, and Philipp, Graduated from Madchenrealschule St. Ursula in 2002 and Fachoberschule Augsberg in Chemin s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 11

12 Pooja Kommireddi 5-9, Sophomore Hyderabad, India/ Hyderabad Public School (Sophomore) Fall: Only singles win came over Melissa Hoffmeister of Arkansas at Ole Miss Classic Battled ankle injury at June Stewart Invitational, with losses to Louisville s Natalia Baez and Vanderbilt s Hannah Blatt Posted 2-2 doubles mark, playing with Marlene Chemin and Stephanie Parkison Picked up win with Chemin over Arkansas (Hoffmeister-Dixon) at Ole Miss Classic Victory with Parkison came versus Liberty (Kuznetsova-Randolph) in first round of ITA Southeast Championships (Freshman) Fall: Posted 9-3 singles record, winning five straight to start her career and final three of the fall Won four straight at UTC Baras Classic in Flight C, with wins over Chattanooga s Samantha Duggan, UT Martin s Vikki Cann, Lipscomb s Casey Hall, and Murray State s Tami McQueen to reach finals Tournament finals were canceled because of inclement weather Defeated Auburn s Erin Grey in first match at UK Fall Invitational in Group C Lost next match to Kentucky s Caroline Winebrenner before picking up win over Marshall s Jessica Keever Lost first match of MT Fall Invitational in Flight C to Belmont s Elizabeth Conyer Won final three outings of fall, with wins over UT Martin s Cann, Western Kentucky s Laura Caffey, and UT Martin s Amber Garza Posted 2-1 doubles mark with Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Lost first match but won final two at UK Fall Invite, including victories over Marshall (Paradis-Asel) and East Tennessee (Byrne-Batsula). Spring: Posted 18-2 dual match singles record, best on the squad, and 27-5 overall singles mark for the year, tying for the third most wins in a season Winning percentage of.844 is the second-best single-season mark in school history Won six of her first eight outings, including victories over Wichita State s Jackie Richey, Vanderbilt s Liberty Sveke, and Troy s Shamiaa Elsisi Only two losses of the year were to East Tennessee s Sandie Knight and Mimi Renaudin of Ole Miss Put together a 12-match winning streak to end the season, nine in straight sets, including triumphs against Houston s Vicky Sampson, VCU s Camille Ripert, South Alabama s Sylvanie Spanenberg, UAB s Samrin Tanzeem, and Arkansas-Little Rock s Laetitia Bourgeon Finished the academic year 24-4 outdoors and 5-0 versus Sun Belt competition Posted 11-8 dual match doubles mark overall Compiled 9-5 record with Elvira Yusupova, including victories over Chattanooga (Adams-Johnson), Troy (Bares-S. Elsisi), Indiana State (Caujolle-Lahlou), Memphis (Noble-Zafir), and North Texas (Giles-Wasson) at Sun Belt Championships Had wins with Siljestrom against UT-San Antonio (Drabkova-Kukla) and Wichita State (Browning-Richey). High School Attended Gnanjali School until 2002 and Hyderabad Public School until 2004 in Hyderabad, India Played for coach Praveen Bharguva Participated in IPSC School Games in , with team taking third place U-16 winner of individual tournament in and U-18 winner in 2003 and finalist in Personal Pooja Kommireddi Daughter of K. Sai Prakosh and K.J. Madhavi Born June 10, 1987 Majoring in Business Administration. Kommireddi s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

13 5-5, Sophomore Ufa, Russia/Linguistic Gymnasium (Sophomore) Fall: Posted 4-4 singles mark and 1-3 doubles mark Picked up singles triumphs over Murray State s Lynsey Ottosen, Andrea Courtney of Southern Illinois, and Louisiana-Lafayette s Angela Dangood before falling in finals at Ole Miss Classic Defeated Vanderbilt s Caroline Ferrell and dropped decisions to Florida International s Priscilla Castillo and Louisville s Jo-Ann van Aerde at June Stewart Invitational Also four doubles outings were played with Stephanie Parkison, including lone victory against Florida International (Pazo-Cutnik) at June Stewart Invitational (Freshman) Spring: Enrolled in January Won five singles and 10 doubles matches, playing almost exclusively at No. 3 in singles Won her first two career singles outings, victories over UT-San Antonio s Monika Drabkova and UT-Pan Am s Sheila Mabulac Lost two straight before defeating Chattanooga s Talita Bragato, 6-3, 7-6 (4) Suffered losses to Troy, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss before winning 6-4, 6-3 over Tennessee Tech s Margot Carter Suffered a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 8-10 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi s Erika Iriarte and a straight-set defeat to VCU s 126th-ranked Viktoria Konstantinova Lost in three sets to Arkansas State s Karen Saravia before defeating Ekin Zafir of Memphis Compiled 10-8 doubles mark playing with Pooja Kommireddi, Marlene Chemin, Elvira Yusupova and Claudia Szabo Compiled 9-5 record with Kommireddi, including victories over Chattanooga (Adams-Johnson), Troy (Bares-S. Elsisi), Indiana State (Caujolle-Lahlou), Memphis (Noble-Zafir), and North Texas (Giles-Wasson) at Sun Belt Championships Went 0-1 with Chemin and 1-2 with Szabo, with a victory against UT-San Antonio (Wallin-Mooney). High School Played for coach Smirnov Sergey at Linguistic Gymnasium Ufa Open champion in 2003 Russian Team Championship finalist in Personal Elvira Yusupova... Daughter of Rashid and Tatyana Yusupova... Born April 30, Majoring in Business Education. Yusupova s Career Numbers Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct Fall Totals Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 13

14 Newcomers Emmanuelle Cruz 5-2, Freshman Beziers, France/ Escuela ISPE Stephanie Parkison 5-6, Freshman Clarkston, Mich./ Clarkston HS Before Middle Tennessee: Compiled five victories in qualifying draws of professional tournanaments in Fall Defeated Spain s Marta Domingo-Mesegue and Marta Oliva-Lopez at Lleida... Picked up victory over India s Prerana Prathap at Llerona and Germany s Sina Hartmann and Tortosa... Coached by Javier Gutierrez at Bruguera Tennis Academy. Personal: Emmanuelle Cruz... Daughter of Jose Cruz and Pilar Gallego... Born February 18, Shannon Hartmann 5-5, Freshman Lexington, Ky./ Home School High School: Attended Paul Laurence Dunbar HS as freshman and sophomore, garnering All-Region and All-State accolades Team won state championship and was state runner-up in doubles Home schooled her last two years of high school. Personal: Shannon Alexandra Hartmann Daughter of Marti and Bob Hartmann Born November 26, (Freshman) Fall: Posted one singles victory, against Murray State s Lynsey Bochenek, at Ole Miss Classic Also had losses to Arizona State s Laila Abdala and Florida International s Maria Pazo Picked up two doubles wins, one each with Pooja Kommireddi and Elvira Yusupova Victory with Kommireddi came versus Liberty (Kuznetsova-Randolph) in first round of ITA Southeast Championships Win with Yusupova was against Florida International (Pazo-Cutnik) at June Stewart Invitational. High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Kyleen Cunningham at Clarkston HS Threetime First Team All-State selection, winning a Division I state title as a junior Voted All-League and All-Area all four seasons Named County Player of the Year and South Piedmont Conference Player of the Year as sophomore. Personal: Stephanie Mary Parkison Daughter of Geraldine and Harold Parkison Born April 15, 1988 Father played football at Ball State and brother played football at Ohio Wesleyan Mother is the tennis coordinator at DeerLand Athletic Club Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

15 Dang ole Right facing page Review Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 15

16 Review First-year head coach Alison Ojeda took over a program with just five players in the fall, but her squad battled to six dual match victories in the spring thanks to freshman Pooja Kommireddi and sophomore Ann- Kristin Siljestrom. Kommireddi s 27 singles victories tied for the third most in school history, and her.844 winning percentage was second-best in the 31-year history of the program. She ended the spring season on a 12-match winning streak and posted an 18-2 overall dual match record. Siljestrom had 13 dual match victories in singles, including nine at No. 4 in the lineup. The Blue Raiders got off to a good start, winning their first two dual matches of the year over UT-San Antonio and UT-Pan Am. Middle Tennessee won the doubles point, and the four spots in the bottom of the lineup all were victorious in the 5-2 victory over San Antonio. The squad picked up six singles triumphs against Pan Am. But then the Blue Raiders fell on hard times, dropping five of their next six, including losses to 14th-ranked Vanderbilt, No. 72 Troy, and 35th-ranked Ole Miss. The squad had a pair of 4-3 defeats (Wichita State, Troy) and one 5-2 loss (East Tennessee) during the stretch. Szabo and Siljestrom both posted three-set victories against Wichita State, and Siljestrom, Kommireddi and Kelly Adams all had singles triumphs in the Troy loss. The squad rebounded with three victories in four outings at the end of February, defeating Tennessee Tech, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Murray State and dropping a tough 4-2 outing at 67th-ranked Houston. Siljestrom and Kommireddi both had victories at Houston, and Szabo, Adams, and Elvira Yusupova all won versus Tennessee Tech. Middle Tennessee then suffered six consecutive losses, playing with just four players at times because of injury. Included in the stretch were defeats to 21st-ranked VCU, No. 75 South Alabama, and 69th-ranked Louisville. Four of the losses were 5-2 decisions. The last two losses came at Arkansas- Little Rock and Arkansas State, with Adams sidelined for both outings and Chemin also missing the ASU match because of dehydration. The Blue Raiders got back on the winning track with a 5-2 victory at Memphis, but dropped its final two regular season outings to UAB (4-3) and 55thranked Marshall. In the Sun Belt Championships, the Blue Raiders dropped a heart-breaking tiebreaker in doubles and never recovered, losing 4-2 to North Texas. Siljestrom and Kommireddi both posted singles victories to end the season, but it was too little too late. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Season Notes Middle Tennessee won seven times under first-year head coach Alison Ojeda and played the entire season with only six players, including four newcomers and one, Elvira Yusupova, who enrolled in January Former All-American Manon Kruse was voted to the Sun Belt Conference 30th Anniversary Women s Tennis Team. Freshman Pooja Kommireddi posted a 27-5 singles record for the academic year, tying Amy King (1998) for the fourth most in a single season. Kommireddi s.844 winning percentage is the second best in school history. Kommireddi was 18-2 in dual matches in the spring, including a 12-match winning streak to end the year. The Blue Raiders played eight ranked opponents in 2006, falling to all eight foes. Middle Tennessee lost 4-3 on February 17 to then 71st-ranked Troy and 4-2 to No. 67 Houston on March 8. Middle Tennessee dropped its first-round match in the Sun Belt Championships, 4-2, to North Texas, finishing ninth in the league. The Blue Raiders are 7-6 all-time in the SBC Championships, including five straight losses in the first round. Sophomore Ann-Kristin Siljestrom combined for 32 victories in , including an singles record and a 13-7 dual match singles mark. Siljestrom improved to in dual match singles in her two seasons as a Blue Raider and has 59 combined victories in just a year-and-a-half at Middle Tennessee. Middle Tennessee claimed two Sun Belt Player of the Week awards this season. Sophomores Claudia Szabo (February 8) and Ann-Kristin Siljestrom (February 14) each won once for the Blue Raiders. Pooja Kommireddi Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

17 2006 WOMEN S TENNIS RESULTS J. 27 at UT-San Antonio...W, 5-2 J. 28 vs. UT-Pan Am%...W, 6-0 F. 4 East Tennessee... L, 5-2 F. 5 Wichita State... L, 4-3 F. 8 Chattanooga...W, 6-1 F. 14 at #14 Vanderbilt... L, 6-1 F. 17 at #72 Troy... L, 4-3 F. 24 at #35 Ole Miss... L, 7-0 F. 26 Tennessee Tech...W, 4-1 M. 3 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi...W, 6-1 M. 8 at #67 Houston... L, 4-2 M. 11 Murray State...W, 5-2 M. 17 vs. #21 VCU$... L, 6-1 M. 18 vs. Indiana State$... L, 5-2 M. 19 at #75 South Alabama... L, 6-1 M. 25 #69 Louisville... L, 5-2 A. 1 at Arkansas-Little Rock... L, 5-2 A. 2 at Arkansas State... L, 5-2 A. 9 at Memphis...W, 5-2 A. 14 UAB... L, 4-3 A. 15 #55 Marshall... L, 4-0 Sun Belt Championships$ A. 21 vs. North Texas... L, Statistics 2006 MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN ITA RANKINGS Date Rank January 10...NR January 31...NR February 7...NR February 14...NR February 22...NR February 28...NR March 7...NR March 14...NR March 21...NR March 28...NR April 4...NR April 11...NR April 18...NR April 25...NR Preseason NA January 10 NA February 22 NA March 7 NA RANKINGS March 21 NA April 4 NA April 18 NA April 25 NA % - San Antonio, Texas $ - Mobile, Ala. & - Stanford, Calif. Home matches in bold All match times Central Time Player Records by Position Singles Dual Pct. Tourn. Overall Pct. Kelly Adams Marlene Chemin Pooja Kommireddi Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Claudia Szabo Elvira Yusupova Totals Doubles Dual Pct. Tourn. Total Pct. Szabo-Siljestrom Chemin-Szabo Adams-Siljestrom Kommireddi-Yusupova Siljestrom-Kommireddi Szabo-Yusupova Chemin-Yusupova Adams-Szabo Adams-Chemin Totals Miscellaneous Results Home Road Neutral Sites Indoor Outdoor Sun Belt Ranked Top Top Top Win Doubles Point Lose Doubles Point Individual Doubles Records Player Dual Total Pct. Kelly Adams Marlene Chemin Pooja Kommireddi Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Claudia Szabo Elvira Yusupova Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 17

18 Match-by-Match Results Middle Tennessee 5 Match One UT-San Antonio 2 January 27, 2006 San Antonio, Texas (UTSA Tennis Center) Middle Tennessee 6 Match Two UT-Pan Am 0 January 28, 2006 San Antonio, Texas (UTSA Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Nathalie Wallin def. Marlene Chemin 6-1, 6-4 UTSA 2. Sandra Kukla def. Claudia Szabo 6-4, 6-1 UTSA 3. Elvira Yusupova def. Monika Drabkova 6-1, 6-2 MT 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Karen Scida 6-0, 6-3 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Barbara Mooney 6-1, 6-4 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Tanya Hasking 6-3, 6-4 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Adams-Chemin def. Hasking-Scida 9-8 (4) MT 2. Szabo-Yusupova def. Mooney-Wallin 8-3 MT 3. Kommireddi-Siljestrom def. Drabkova-Kukla 8-2 MT East Tennessee 5 Match Three Middle Tennessee 2 February 4, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Racquet Club) Singles Score Winner 1. Masha Ilina def. Marlene Chemin 6-2, 6-3 ETSU 2. Claudia Szabo def. Tara Byrne 6-1, 6-2 MT 3. Elena Volobueva def. Elvira Yusupova 6-2, 7-5 ETSU 4. Olya Batsula def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-1, 7-6 (4) ETSU 5. Kelly Adams def. Sylwia Ziolkowska 8-7 (5) MT 6. Sandie Knight def. Pooja Kommireddi 8-5 ETSU Doubles Score Winner 1. Adams-Chemin def. Volobueva-Ziolkowska 8-5 MT 2. Ilina-Knight def. Szabo-Yusupova 8-3 ETSU 3. Batsula-Byrne def. Kommireddi-Siljestrom 8-6 ETSU Chattanooga 1 Match Five Middle Tennessee 6 February 8, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Racquet Club) Singles Score Winner 1. Anastasia Zhukova def. Marlene Chemin 6-2, 6-1 UTC 2. Claudia Szabo def. Lindsey Ballard 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 MT 3. Elvira Yusupova def. Talita Bragato 6-3, 7-6 (4) MT 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Bonnie Adams 6-2, 6-3 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Ashley Johnson 6-1, 6-3 MT 6. Pooja Komireddi def. Beata Knizat 6-1, 6-2 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Zhukova-Ballard def. Chemin-Szabo 8-4 UTC 2. Adams-Siljestrom def. Bragato-Knizat 8-2 MT 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Adams-Johnson 8-1 MT Middle Tennessee 3 Match Seven #72 Troy 4 February 17, 2006 Troy, Ala. (Lunsford Tennis Complex) Singles Score Winner 1. Rawia Elsisi def. Marlene Chemin 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 Troy 2. Tsitsi Masviba def. Claudia Szabo 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 Troy 3. Claudia Strauss def. Elvira Yusupova 6-2, 6-1 Troy 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Annabelle Bares 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Caroline Jouanin 6-2, 7-5 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Shamiaa Elsisi 7-6, 6-3 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Masviba-Strauss def. Chemin-Szabo 8-0 Troy 2. R. Elsisi-Nicole Shaw def. Siljestrom-Adams 8-4 Troy 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Bares-S. Elsisi 8-6 MT Singles Score Winner 1. Marlene Chemin def. Silke Buksik 6-4, 6-2 MT 2. Claudia Szabo def. Marine de Bourqueney 6-2, 6-1 MT 3. Elvira Yusupova def. Sheila Mabulac 6-3, 6-0 MT 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Elysia Sloan 6-1, 6-0 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Nicole Garcia 6-1, 6-1 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Jessica Nanez 6-0, 6-1 MT Doubles Score Winner Not Played Not Played Not Played Wichita State 4 Match Four Middle Tennessee 3 February 5, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Racquet Club) Singles Score Winner 1. Madina Rakhim def. Marlene Chemin 6-2, 6-1 WSU 2. Claudia Szabo def. Wendi Webster 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 MT 3. Anna Egorova def. Elvira Yusupova 6-1, 6-1 WSU 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Ana Ines Exeni 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 MT 5. Torrie Browning def. Kelly Adams 7-5, 6-4 WSU 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Jackie Richey 7-5, 6-1 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Rakhim-Webster def. Adams-Chemin 8-3 WSU 2. Exeni-Egorova def. Szabo-Yusupova 9-8 (5) WSU 3. Siljestrom-Kommireddi def. Richey-Browning 8-4 MT Middle Tennessee 1 Match Six #14 Vanderbilt 6 February 14, 2006 Nashville, Tenn. (Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Amanda Fish def. Marlene Chemin 6-0, 6-2 VU 2. (47) Taka Bertrand def. Claudia Szabo 6-0, 6-0 VU 3. Amanda Taylor def. Elvira Yusupova 6-1, 6-0 VU 4. Courtney Ulery def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-3, 6-3 VU 5. Caroline Ferrell def. Kelly Adams 6-0, 6-1 VU 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Liberty Sveke 7-5, 2-1, ret. MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Taylor-Maggie Yahner def. Adams-Szabo 8-2 VU 2. Fish-Bertrand def. Chemin-Yusupova 8-3 VU 3. Sveke-Ulery def. Kommireddi-Siljestrom 8-4 VU Middle Tennessee 0 Match Eight #35 Ole Miss 7 February 24, 2006 Oxford, Miss. (Palmer-Salloum Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Virginia Tomatis def. Marlene Chemin 6-1, 6-0 UM 2. Nika Koukhartchouk def. Claudia Szabo 6-1, 6-3 UM 3. Ilona Somers def. Elvira Yusupova 6-0, 6-0 UM 4. Kseniia Tokareiva def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-0, 6-3 UM 5. Preethi Subramanian def. Kelly Adams 6-1, 6-1 UM 6. Mimi Renaudin def. Pooja Kommireddi 6-2, 6-2 UM Doubles Score Winner 1. (41) Tomatis-Somers def. Chemin-Szabo 8-4 UM 2. Koukhartchouk-Tokareiva def. Siljestrom-Adams 8-3 UM 3. Subramanian-Renaudin def. Kommireddi-Yusupova 8-3 UM Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

19 Match-by-Match Results Tennessee Tech 1 Match Nine Middle Tennessee 4 February 26, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Racquet Club) Middle Tennessee 1 Match Ten Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 6 March, 2006 Corpus Christi, Texas (King s Crossing CC) Singles Score Winner 1. Alet Boonzaaier def. Marlene Chemin 6-2, 6-4 TTU 2. Claudia Szabo def. Marina Tasheva 6-0, 7-5 MT 3. Elvira Yusupova def. Margot Carter 6-4, 6-3 MT 4. Kelly Adams def. Marine Ruiz de Guana 6-3, 6-4 MT 5. Pooja Kommireddi vs. Kay Ngiam DNF 6. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom vs. Evgenia Yartseva DNP Doubles Score Winner 1. Boonzaaier-Tasheva def. Chemin-Szabo 8-4 TTU 2. Siljestrom-Adams def. Ngiam-Carter 8-3 MT 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Maia Semerdjieva-Yartseva 8-0 MT Middle Tennessee 2 Match Eleven #67 Houston 4 March 8, 2006 Houston, Texas (Hoffs Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Brianna Bateup def. Marlene Chemin 6-3, 6-2 UH 2. Loli Gomez def. Claudia Szabo 6-2, 6-1 UH 3. Kami Miller def. Elvira Yusupova 6-0, 6-1 UH 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Sonja Nikolic 6-4, 7-6 MT 5. Yolandi Terblanche def. Kelly Adams 6-1, 6-2 UH 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Vicky Simpson 6-4, 6-4 MT Doubles Score Winner Not Played Not Played Not Played Middle Tennessee 1 Match Thirteen #21 VCU 6 March 17, 2006 Mobile, Ala. (Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts) Singles Score Winner 1. (107) Tatsiana Uvarova def. Marlene Chemin 6-1, 6-1 VCU 2. (44) Marianna Yuferova def. Claudia Szabo 6-3, 6-2 VCU 3. (125) Viktoria Konstantinova def. Elvira Yusupova 6-1, 6-1 VCU 4. (80) Olga Borisova def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-1, 6-1 VCU 5. Vera Petrashevitch def. Kelly Adams 6-1, 6-3 VCU 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Camille Ripert 6-1, 6-4 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. (18) Yuferova-Borisova def. Chemin-Szabo 8-0 VCU 2. Uvarova-Petrashevitch def. Siljestrom-Adams 8-0 VCU 3. Ripert-Konstantinova def. Kommireddi-Yusupova 8-6 VCU Middle Tennessee 1 Match Fifteen #75 South Alabama 6 March 19, 2006 Mobile, Ala. (Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts) Singles Score Winner 1. Adrianna Solarova def. Marlene Chemin 6-3, 6-2 USA 2. Jelena Krivacevic def. Claudia Szabo 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (3) USA 3. Maria Zivcicova def. Elvira Yusupova 6-3, 6-1 USA 4. Dijana Stanic def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-3, 6-2 USA 5. Michaela Babicova def. Kelly Adams 7-6 (7), 6-1 USA 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Sylvanie Spanenberg 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Solarova-Klara Jarova def. Chemin-Szabo 8-6 USA 2. Spanenberg-Zivcicova def. Adams- Siljestrom 8-1 USA 3. Stanic-Krivacevic def. Kommireddi-Yusupova 8-1 USA Singles Score Winner 1. Marlene Chemin def. Carmen Abeaboeru 6-4, 3-6, 11-9 MT 2. Claudia Szabo def. Filippa Figueiredo 7-5, 6-3 MT 3. Erika Iriarte def. Elvira Yusupova 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8 TAMUCC 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Lana Burton 6-3, 6-1 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Amanda Brahim 6-3, 6-0 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Lauren Schmidt 6-4, 6-2 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Chemin-Szabo def. Figueiredo-Iriarte 8-4 MT 2. Siljestrom-Adams def. Schmidt-Abeaboeru 8-3 MT 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Brahim-Burton 9-7 MT Murray State 2 Match Twelve Middle Tennessee 5 March 11, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Buck Bouldin Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Anna Lask def. Marlene Chemin 6-3, 6-1 MSU 2. Claudia Szabo def. Anne Pennington 6-1, 6-2 MT 3. Casady Pruitt def. Elvira Yusupova 6-4, 6-1 MSU 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Adriana Alvarez 6-0, 6-3 MT 5. Pooja Kommireddi def. Tami McQueen 7-5, 6-4 MT 6. Kelly Adams won default MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Chemin-Szabo def. Pruitt-Pennington 8-3 MT 2. Adams-Siljestm def. Alvarez-McQueen 8-2 MT 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova won default MT Middle Tennessee 2 Match Fourteen Indiana State 5 March 18, 2006 Mobile, Ala. (Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts) Singles Score Winner 1. Jennifer Migan def. Marlene Chemin 6-0, 6-0 ISU 2. Joanne Schickerling def. Claudia Szabo 6-1, 6-2 ISU 3. Sarah Galparoli def. Elvira Yusupova 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 ISU 4. Fadzai Masiyazi def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 ISU 5. Kelly Adams def. Marie Caujolle 6-2, 7-5 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Imane Lahlou 6-0, 6-0 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Migan-Schickerling def. Chemin-Szabo 8-1 ISU 2. Galparoli-Masiyazi def. Adams-Siljestrom 9-7 ISU 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Caujolle-Lahlou 9-7 MT #69 Louisville 5 Match Sixteen Middle Tennessee 2 March 26, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Buck Bouldin Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Robyn White def. Marlene Chemin 6-4, 6-2 UL 2. Bianca Gorbea def. Claudia Szabo 7-6 (4), 6-2 UL 3. Suzanna Gracinin def. Elvira Yusupova 6-0, 6-2 UL 4. Natalie Laszkowski def. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom 6-2, 6-2 UL 5. Kelly Adams def. Stephania Velazquez 9-7 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. An Nguyen 8-0 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. White-Gracinin def. Chemin-Szabo 8-3 UL 2. Laszkowski-Gorbea def. Adams-Siljestrom 8-5 UL 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Velazquez-Nguyen default MT Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 19

20 Match-by-Match Results Middle Tennessee 2 Match Seventeen Arkansas-Little Rock 5 April 1, 2006 Little Rock, Ark. (UALR Tennis Complex) Middle Tennessee 2 Match Eighteen Arkansas State 5 April 2, 2006 Jonesboro, Ark. (Allen Park) Singles Score Winner 1. Jenna Hirdle def. Marlene Chemin 6-7 (3), ret. UALR 2. Outi Jarvinen def. Claudia Szabo 1-6, 6-4, 10-4 UALR 3. Bindiya Parekh def. Elvira Yusupova 6-0, 6-1 UALR 4. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Ellie Vicary 6-4, 6-7 (6), 10-4 MT 5. Pooja Kommireddi def. Laetitia Bourgeon 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 MT 6. Rosario Negrete won default Doubles Score Winner 1. Chemin-Szabo def. Bourgeon-Hollie Robinson 8-7 (3) UALR 2. Negrete-Parekh def. Kommireddi-Siljestrom 8-4 MT 3. Jarvinen-Vicary won default UALR Middle Tennessee 2 Match Nineteen Memphis 5 April 9, 2006 Memphis, Tenn. (HPER Courts) Singles Score Winner 1. Brooke Cowie def. Claudia Szabo 6-4, 6-4 UM 2. Andrea Feichtinger def. Marlene Chemin 6-3, 6-3 UM 3. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Kristin Noble 6-1, 6-4 MT 4. Elvira Yusupova def. Ekin Zafir 6-1, 6-1 MT 5. Kelly Adams def. Alex Tjioe 3-6, 6-4, 10-3 MT 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Christina Wieser 6-3, 6-2 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Chemin-Szabo def. Tjioe-Cowie 8-4 MT 2. Siljestrom-Adams def. Feichtinger-Wieser 8-1 MT 3. Kommireddi-Yusupova def. Noble-Zafir 8-1 MT #55 Marshall 4 Match Twenty-One Middle Tennessee 0 April 15, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Buck Bouldin Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Lynzee Kever def. Claudia Szabo 6-0, 6-0 MAR 2. Kellei Schmitt def. Marlene Chemin 6-1, 6-3 MAR 3. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom vs. Jeanne Schwartz DNF 4. Elvira Yusupova vs. Shannon Brown DNF 5. Pooja Kommireddi vs. Karolina Soor DNF 6. Jessica Keener def. Kelly Adams 6-1, 6-0 MAR Doubles Score Winner 1. Chemin-Szabo vs. (35) Kever-Schmitt DNF 2. Soor-Brown def. Adams-Siljestrom 8-3 MAR 3. Keener-Schwartz def. Kommireddi-Yusupova 8-3 MAR Singles Score Winner 1. Marina Engelbrecht def. Claudia Szabo 6-4, 6-3 ASU 2. Zeljka Minic def. Elvira Yusupova 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 ASU 3. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Maria Oprea 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 MT 4. Pooja Kommireddi def. Karen Saravia 6-2, 6-0 MT 5. Renee Branker won default 6. Melissa Silva won default Doubles Score Winner 1. Paula Chelminska-Engelbrecht def. Siljestrom-Szabo 9-7 ASU 2. Kommireddi-Yusupova vs. Branker-Minic DNF 3. Saravia-Oprea won default ASU UAB 4 Match Twenty Middle Tennessee 3 April 14, 2006 Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Buck Bouldin Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Ornischa Maier-Knapp def. Claudia Szabo 6-2, 6-1 UAB 2. Marlene Chemin def. Julia von Samson 7-5, 6-7 (3), 10-5 MT 3. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Annemieke Elsholz 6-1, 0-6, 6-3 MT 4. Gulsah Esen def. Elvira Yusupova 7-5, 6-0 UAB 5. Antonia Nugent def. Kelly Adams 6-4, 6-0 UAB 6. Pooja Kommireddi def. Samrin Tanzeem 5-7, 6-0, 10-5 MT Doubles Score Winner 1. Maier-Knapp-von Samson def. Szabo-Chemin 8-4 UAB 2. Siljestrom-Adams def. Elsholz-Esen 9-7 MT 3. Nugent-Tanzeem def. Yusupova -Kommireddi 9-8 (3) UAB Middle Tennessee 2 Match Twenty-Two North Texas 4 April 21, 2006 Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Tennis Center) Singles Score Winner 1. Lynley Wasson def. Claudia Szabo 6-2, 6-2 UNT 2. Ina Wieding def. Marlene Chemin 7-6 (6), 6-1 UNT 3. Ann-Kristin Siljestrom def. Sammie Moreton 6-1, 6-1 MT 4. Megan Schmulbach def. Elvira Yusupova 6-3, 6-4 UNT 5. Pooja Kommireddi def. Aziza Aba Butain 6-4, 6-2 MT 6. Kelly Adams vs. Sara Giles 7-6 (5), 3-6, 2-4 DNF Doubles Score Winner 1. Schmulbach-Moreton def. Szabo-Chemin 8-6 UNT 2. Wieding-Aba Butain def. Adams-Siljestrom 9-8 (2) UNT 3. Kommireddi-Yuuspova def. Giles-Wasson 8-5 MT Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

21 Dang ole Right facing page History Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.comHistory21

22 Honors/Championships Singles 1978 Elina Durchman (OVC) 1979 Elina Durchman (OVC) 1980 Nancy Broadhurst (OVC) Dianna Meyers (OVC) Tarja Ojala (OVC) Kaye Wrather (OVC) 1981 Carolyn Newgreen (OVC) Glenys Wilson (OVC) 1982 Pam Haskin (OVC) Laura Martin (OVC) Carolyn Newgreen (OVC) Glenys Wilson (OVC) 1984 Michelle Girle (OVC) 1985 Rene Giroux (OVC) Suzie Newberry (OVC) 1990 Lynn Dillard (OVC) Angie Leake (OVC) 1991 Carol MacPherson (OVC) Katrina Beuchler (OVC) 1992 Yael Soresman (OVC) Carol MacPherson (OVC) Jenny Oliveira (OVC) Lorinda Weiss (OVC) Katrina Beuchler (OVC) Jana Durham (OVC) 1993 Yael Soresman (OVC) Carol MacPherson (OVC) Michelle Wilson (OVC) Shelly Reed (OVC) 1994 Michelle Wilson (OVC) 1995 Malinda Ryan (OVC) 1996 Jennifer Bryans (OVC) Amy King (OVC) Malinda Ryan (OVC) Alex Toelle (OVC) Michelle Wilson (OVC) 1997 Jennifer Bryans (OVC) Kim Glassman (OVC) Michelle North (OVC) Clare Sevier (OVC) 1998 Clare Sevier (OVC) Alex Toelle (OVC) Amy King (OVC) Kim Glassman (OVC) Michelle North (OVC) 1999 Michaela Gridling (OVC) Niger Kaur (OVC) 2000 Tanja Buchheim (OVC) Michaela Gridling (OVC) Tina Hojnik (OVC) Niger Kaur (OVC) Katja Kuehner (OVC) All-Conference Selections 2001 Manon Kruse (SBC) 2002 Manon Kruse (SBC) 2003 Manon Kruse (SBC) 2004 Manon Kruse (SBC) Jennifer Klaschka (SBC) 2005 Jennifer Klaschka (SBC) Doubles 1982 (OVC) Laura Martin-Pam Haskin Carolyn Newgreen-Glenys Wilson 1987 (OVC) Michelle Baines- Missy Blair 1990 (OVC) Yael Soresman-Angie Leake 1991 (OVC) Carol MacPherson-Katrina Beuchler 1992 (OVC) Yael Soresman-Lorinda Weiss 1993 (OVC) Yael Soresman-Carol MacPherson Jenny Oliveira-Angie Green 2001 (SBC) Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell 2002 (SBC) Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell 2003 (SBC) Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell 2004 (SBC) Manon Kruse-Carien Venter Laura McNamara-Jennifer Klaschka 2005 (SBC) Jennifer Klaschka- Ann-Kristin Siljestrom Players were not selected by singles or doubles from in OVC Regular Season (10) Year Head Coach 1980 (OVC) Sandy Neal 1982 (OVC) Sandy Neal 1990 (OVC) Sandy Neal 1991 (OVC) Dale Short 1992 (OVC) Dale Short 1993 (OVC) Dale Short 1996 (OVC) David Thornton 1997 (OVC) David Thornton 1998 (OVC) David Thornton 2000 (OVC) David Thornton Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com Conference Championships Tournament (1) Year Head Coach 2000 (OVC) David Thornton Coaches of the Year Coach Year Conf. Rec. Place Overall Sandy Neal (OVC) st Sandy Neal (OVC) st Sandy Neal (OVC) th Sandy Neal (OVC) st 15-5 Sandy Neal (OVC) st 13-5 Dale Short (OVC) st 15-7 David Thornton (OVC) st David Thornton (OVC) st 19-7 David Thornton (OVC) st 21-9 Team Records Wins in a Season t t t t t Best Seasons (by pct.) (.793) (.750) (.731) (.700) (.692) Longest Win Streaks Middle Tennessee Female Athlete of the Year Corrine McDonald Kay Wrather Lorinda Weiss Yael Soresman Conference Players of the Year Year Player 1978 Elina Durchman (OVC) 1979 Elina Durchman (OVC) 1982 Laura Martin (OVC) 1984 Michelle Girle (OVC) 1993 Yael Soresman ( OVC) 1997 Clare Sevier (OVC) 1998 Clare Sevier (OVC) 2000 Tina Hojnik (OVC) AIAW Region All-American Laura Martin

23 Coaches/Annual Results Middle Tennessee Coaches/Career Records Sandy Neal Record: (.586) Dale Short Record: (.692) David Thornton Record: (.604) Randy Holden Record: (.523) Neal Stapp 2005 Record: 8-14 (.363) Alison Ojeda 2006-Present Record: 7-15 (.318) Annual Team Records Cumulative Record: (.578), 30 seasons Year Record Conf. (place) Top Singles Record Top Doubles Team NA NA NA NA Karen Miller, 16-3 Karen Miller-Carol Craig, OVC 4-3 (4th) Karen Miller, 17-3 Karen Miller-Carol Craig, OVC 3-1 (T2nd) Elina Durcham, 25-8 Diana Myers-Nancy Broadhurst, OVC 3-1 (1st) Kaye Wrather, J. Orr-T. Ojala; D. Myers-N. Broadhurst, OVC 3-4 (3rd) Glenys Wilson, 20-4 Diana Myers-Leigh Morel, OVC 7-0 (1st) Laura Martin, 21-3 Laura Martin-Pam Haskins, OVC 3-2 (4th) Michelle Girle, 13-7 Peggy McNeal-Brigette Platt, OVC 3-1 (4th) Michelle Girle, 15-3 Michelle Girle-Renee Giroux, OVC 5-0 (2nd) Michelle Girle, 17-5 Julie Laughlin-Naomi Nakamura, OVC 6-0 (2nd) Michelle Girle, Michelle Girle-Julie Laughlin, OVC 4-2 (4th) Julie Laughlin, 10-7 Michelle Baines-Missy Blair, OVC 2-3 (5th) Julie Laughlin, 9-7 Julie Laughlin-Jenny Herring, OVC 2-3 (4th) Lorinda Weiss, 13-6 Lorinda Weiss-Kelly Williamson, OVC 6-0 (1st) Lynn Dillard, 20-5 Katrina Beuchler-Lynn Dillard, OVC 6-0 (1st) Yael Soresman, 21-3 Sheely Reed-Katrina Beuchler, OVC 6-0 (1st) Yael Soresman, 22-5 Carol MacPherson-Katrina Beuchler, OVC 6-0 (1st) Yael Soresman, 15-6 Yael Soresman-Carol MacPherson, OVC 7-1 (3rd) Leanne Melgaard, Leanne Melgarrd-Angie Green, OVC 7-1 (2nd) Malinda Ryan, Kelly Bachich-Emma Doyle, OVC 8-0 (1st) Amy King, 16-9 Amy King-Malinda Ryan, OVC 8-0 (1st) Kim Glassman, Michelle North-Clare Sevier, OVC 9-0 (1st) Clare Sevier, Michelle North-Clare Sevier, OVC 7-2 (2nd) Niger Kaur, Jennifer Bryans-Niger Kaur, OVC 9-0 (1st) Niger Kaur, 25-7 Sarah Grohnert-Stacy Varnell, SBC (3rd) Carien Venter, Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell, SBC (6th) Manon Kruse, 24-6 Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell, SBC (5th) Manon Kruse, 21-6 Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell, SBC (5th) Manon Kruse, 25-5 Manon Kruse-Carien Venter, SBC (8th) Ann-Kristin Siljestrom, 15-6 Jennifer Klaschka-Ann-Kristin Siljestrom, SBC (9th) Pooja Kommireddi, 27-5 Pooja Kommireddi-Elvira Yusupova, Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 23

24 NCAAs/All-Americans 2000 NCAA Regional First Round Mobile, Ala. May 13, 2000 #4 Middle Tennessee 1 #1 Ole Miss 5 Singles Ole Miss Middle Tennessee Winner Score No. 1 Ivona Mihailova vs. Tina Hojnik MT 6-3, 6-0 No. 2 Celeste Frey vs. Katja Kuehner UM 6-4, 6-4 No. 3 Mariana Eberle vs. Tanja Buchheim UM 6-1, 6-0 No. 4 Mira Radu vs. Michaela Gridling UM 6-1, 6-0 No. 5 Aleysya Ignatieva vs. Niger Kaur UM 6-3, 6-1 No. 6 Irena Mihailova vs. Sarah Gronhert UM 1-6, 6-1, 6-1 Doubles Did not start NCAA Singles Championships 2002 Palo Alto, Calif. Rd 1: Chloe Carlotti (Ole Miss) def. Manon Kruse, 6-7, 6-3, Gainesville, Fla. Rd 1: (8) Jewel Peterson (USC) def. Manon Kruse, 3-6, Athens, Ga. Rd 1: Manon Kruse def. Daria Panova (Oregon), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Rd 2: (3) Jelena Pandzic (Fresno State) def. Manon Kruse, 2-6, Lady Raiders Front (L-R): Head Coach David Thornton, Sarah Grohnert, Niger Kaur, Laurie Ferguson, Michaela Gridling, Assistant Coach Joey Hall. Back (L-R): Stacy Varnell, Tina Hojnik, Tanja Buchheim, Katja Kuehner. Manon Kruse and Carien Venter Manon Kruse and Carien Venter earned Middle Tennessee s first All-America honor at the conclusion of the 2004 season by finishing ranked 10th nationally in doubles. The duo compiled a 28-5 doubles mark during their senior campaigns, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Doubles Championships. Kruse ended her career as the all-time leader in wins in both singles and doubles, making three straight appearances in both the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships. Venter ended her career as a Blue Raider ranked second in singles victories and fourth in doubles wins, and made her only postseason appearance with Kruse in The tandem put together a 20-match winning streak during dual match play, a stretch that ended with their second-round loss in the NCAA Championships. In the process, they defeated three ranked opponents, including Vanderbilt s third-ranked Kelly Schmandt and Aleke Tsoubanos. Kruse made history throughout her career, becoming the first Blue Raider in any NCAA individual postseason event, earning the school s best ranking in both singles (29) and doubles (7), and producing the most doubles wins in a year with 30 in All-Americans NCAA Doubles Championships 2002 Palo Alto, Calif. Rd 1: Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell def. (7) Larocque-Mlaker (Arizona), 6-1, 2-1 (ret.) Rd 2: Lauren Barnikow-Jessica Lehnoff (Stanford) def. Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell, 4-6, 7-5, Gainesville, Fla. Rd 1: (3) Aleke Tsoubanos-Sarah Riske (Vanderbilt) def. Manon Kruse-Stacy Varnell, 1-6, Athens, Ga. Rd 1: Manon Kruse-Carien Venter def. Tomatis-Carlotti (Ole Miss), 6-3, 6-4 Rd 2: (7) Aleke Tsoubanos-Kelly Schmandt (Vanderbilt) def. Manon Kruse-Carien Venter, 7-6, 6-7, Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

25 The Blue Raiders hosted the 20th Annual Wally Tidwell Pro-Am presented by Mark Pirtle the second weekend of September, the tennis program s biggest fundraiser of the year. The 2006 event produced the largest-ever turnout, with more than 100 participants and over 150 people at Friday night s dinner at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame. More than 40 former players were in attendance, including 1968 OVC Player of the Year Jean Prevost from Montreal, Canada, and three-time All-American Fred Niemeyer. Former head coach Granville Buck Bouldin was the featured speaker. Middle Tennessee director of tennis Dale Short reported the event raised the most money in its 20-year history, and attendees were able to see the latest project made possible by their support of the tennis program - the resurfacing and new windscreens for all 14 courts at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center. The complex underwent a $150,000 renovation in the fall of 2001 that included the resurfacing of courts and the installation of a covered seating area. Donations and funds raised from the Pro-Am helped pay for that renovation 20th Annual Pro-Am as well. Awards and prizes were given out at lunch on Saturday, concluding a weekend of festivities to support both the men s and women s tennis teams at Middle Tennessee. In 2002, the event was officially dubbed the Wally Tidwell Pro-Am in honor of the longtime supporter of Blue Raider and Lady Raider tennis. Tidwell almost singlehandedly made the Pro-Am happen, gathering sponsors and a majority of the participants each year as well as helping with numerous other tasks involved in the two-day event. Mark Pirtle, a Middle Tennessee alum and longtime supporter of Blue Raider athletics and Middle Tennessee tennis, added his name as a title sponsor of the event in Tidwell lost a battle with cancer not long after the 2002 event. The annual Pro-Am gives the tennis programs an opportunity to honor and celebrate his memory and great contributions to Middle Tennessee Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 25

26 Letterwinners A Kelly Adams B Kelley Bacich Michelle Baines Natasha Balac Lianne Beck Linda Bellucci Katrina Beuchler Missy Blair Becky Branch Nancy Broadhurst Jennifer Bryans Tanja Buchheim Lynn Burklow C Marlene Chemin Present Ana Marie Cibils Cissy Collier Carol Craig D Laura Davis Debbie Deitch Lynn Dillard Bunny Donnelly Emma Doyle Elina Durchman Jana Durham E Kelly Earhart Janell Ellis F Laurie Ferguson G Courtney Genosi Michelle Girle Renee Giroux Kim Glassman Angi Green Michaela Gridling Sarah Grohnert H Pam Haskins Jenny Herring Tina Hojnik K Niger Kaur Amy King Jennifer Klaschka Pooja Kommireddi Present Manon Kruse Katja Kuehner L Julie Laughlin Angie Leake Larissa Liese Linda Long M Carol MacPherson Laura Martin Corrine McDonald Sandy McMillan Laura McNamara Leanne Melgaard Karen Miller Leigh Morel Diana Myers N Suzie Newberry Carolyn Newgreen Margie Nix Michelle North O Tarja Ojala Jenny Oliveira Jenny Orr P Brigitte Platt Verena Preiss R Jennifer Rea Shelly Reed Malinda Ryan S Clare Sevier Britni Short Ann-Kristin Siljestrom present Janet Simpson Yael Soresman Lynn Swindell Claudia Szabo present T Alex Toelle V Stacy Varnell Carien Venter Emily Vest W Inge Weirich Lorinda Weiss Jacqui Williams Traci Williams Kelly Williamson Glenys Wilson Michelle Wilson Kaye Wrather Y Elvira Yusupova Present Lynn Dillard Michaela Gridling Niger Kaur Malinda Ryan Stacy Varnell Carien Venter Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

27 All-Time Records Yael Soresman Jennifer Klaschka Diana Myers Tanja Buchheim t Lorinda Weiss t Tarja Ojala (.686) Elina Durchman (.667) Angie Leake (.625) Lorinda Weiss (.615) Jennifer Klaschka (.611) Kaye Wrather (.600) Niger Kaur Manon Kruse picked up 83 wins during her career, the all-time record at Middle Tennessee. Wins In a Season Singles Wins Player Year Yael Soresman Clare Sevier t3. 27 Pooja Kommireddi t3. 27 Amy King t5. 26 Katja Kuehner t5. 26 Manon Kruse t7. 25 Niger Kaur t7. 25 Elina Durchman t7. 25 Tanja Buchheim Doubles Wins Player Year Manon Kruse Clare Sevier t3. 28 Sarah Grohnert t3. 28 Amy King t3. 28 Stacy Varnell t3. 28 Manon Kruse t3. 28 Carien Venter Career Wins Singles Wins Player Year Manon Kruse t2. 71 Carien Venter t2. 71 Amy King Alex Toelle Michelle Girle Doubles Wins Player Year Manon Kruse Stacy Varnell Jennifer Bryans Carien Venter Jennifer Klaschka Michaela Gridling Amy King Diana Myers Alex Toelle Jenny Oliveira Single Season Win Percentage (min. 20 matches) Singles Win Pct. Player Year (.875) Laura Martin (.844) Pooja Kommireddi (.839) Manon Kruse (.833) Glenys Wilson (.816) Yael Soresman (.815) Lynn Dillard (.808) Yael Soresman Doubles Win Pct. Player Year t (.875) Manon Kruse t (.875) Carien Venter t (.864) Haomi Hakamura t (.864) Julie Laughlin (.850) Glenys Wilson (.829) Clare Sevier t (.826) Jenny Oliveira t (.826) Stacy Varnell Career Win Percentage (min. 60 matches) Singles Win Pct. Player Year (.802) Yael Soresman (.725) Michelle Girle (.762) Manon Kruse (.696) Karen Miller Doubles Win Pct. Player Year (.802) Jenny Oliveira (.724) Manon Kruse t (.723) Laura McNamara t (.723) Yael Soresman (.695) Katrina Beuchler (.683) Lorinda Weiss (.682) Stacy Varnell (.671) Julie Laughlin (.663) Jennifer Klaschka (.646) Diana Myers Stacy Varnell collected 86 doubles wins, including a 19-4 mark in Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 27

28 All-Time Opponents Alabama Appalachian State Arkansas State Arkansas-Little Rock Auburn Auburn-Montgomery Austin Peay Ball State Barry Belmont Bowling Green Boston College Boston University Brenau Carson-Newman Central Florida Chattanooga Cincinnati Clemson College of Charleston Columbus College Davidson Duke East Carolina East Tennessee Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Eastern Michigan Emory Flagler Florida Florida Atlantic Florida International Florida Southern Florida Tech Furman Georgetown Georgia Georgia Southern Georgia State Georgia Tech Houston Illinois Illinois State Indiana State Iowa Jacksonville James Madison Kent Kentucky Lipscomb LSU Louisiana-Lafayette Louisiana-Monroe Louisiana Tech Louisville Marshall Memphis Miami (OH) Michigan State Mississippi State Mississippi Univ. for Women Minnesota Mobile College Morehead State Murray State New Mexico New Orleans North Alabama UNC-Charlotte North Carolina State North Texas Nevada-Las Vegas New Mexico State Northeast Missouri Northwestern State Ohio Old Dominion Ole Miss Peabody Penn State Purdue Radford Rice Rhodes Rollins Saint Ambrose Saint Cloud State Saint Louis Samford Sewanee South Alabama South Carolina Southeast Missouri Southeastern Louisiana Southern Illinois-Carbondale SMU Southern Miss Stetson Tennessee Tennessee State Tennessee Tech Tennessee-Martin Texas A&M Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Texas-Pan American Texas-San Antonio TCU Trevecca Troy Tulane UAB Valdosta State Vanderbilt VCU Virginia Virginia Tech Wake Forest West Florida West Virginia Western Illinois Western Kentucky Western Michigan Wichita State William Jewell College Totals MT vs. Sun Belt All-Time Record Arkansas-Little Rock Last Meeting, L, 5-2 Arkansas State Last Meeting, L, 5-2 Denver... NA Florida International Last Meeting, L, 7-0 Louisiana-Lafayette Last Meeting, W, 4-1 New Orleans Last Meeting, W, 4-0 North Texas Last Meeting, L, 4-2 South Alabama Last Meeting, L, 6-1 Troy Last Meeting, L, 4-3 Western Kentucky Last Meeting, W, Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

29 Dang ole Right facing page University Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 29

30 Why Middle Tennessee? Middle Tennessee is committed to excellence in its athletic and academic programs and works to establish academic partnerships that support student-centered learning. Founded in 1911, the University is the oldest and largest undergraduate university in Tennessee, with nearly 23,000 students on a 500-acre campus located at the geographic center of the state in Murfreesboro. Just 30 miles away is the state capital, Nashville Music City USA. Fifty percent of the U.S. population lives within 650 miles of Nashville that puts Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, and Middle Tennessee at the heart of exponential growth. The Nashville area is the nation s 30th largest television viewing market, and the Blue Raiders enjoy a large fan base that continues to grow throughout the region and beyond. The majority of midstate valedictorians and salutatorians have made Middle Tennessee their number one choice for higher education for many years. Middle Tennessee has become a destination school or university of choice (three-fourths of recently entering freshmen listed Middle Tennessee as their first choice). The home of two Centers of Excellence the Center for Historic Preservation and the Center for Popular Music Middle Tennessee also provides academic enrichment through nine Chairs of Excellence dedicated to supporting particular disciplines. Middle Tennessee has been recognized as one of the top education schools in the nation, graduating over 500 new teachers annually. Middle Tennessee is among only 14 universities nationwide to offer the Federal Aviation Administration s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative. Business and Aerospace Building Middle Tennessee State University visitors discover two worlds: the beauty of our heritage is seen in Kirksey Old Main, the first structure built in 1911, standing on the north side of a quadrangle rich with the most historic buildings on campus; and the energy of our expansion and progress, seen in stateof-the-art new facilities such as the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. The Business and Aerospace Building and the Bragg Mass Communication Building anchor a second quadrangle along with the James E. Walker Library, a magnificent example of technology combined with higher education. Athletic areas include Murphy Athletic Center, Floyd Stadium, Reese Smith Baseball Field and Complex, the track and soccer complex, and the Student Recreation Center Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

31 Middle Tennessee continually seeks to improve and expand both its academic and athletic programs, pursuing the best in education, facilities, equipment, and personnel. The University offers an integrated, technologicial, innovative educational experience that prepares leaders for the economic, political, civic, and social life of the region and beyond. It is truly the home of Tennessee s Best. Why Middle Tennessee? Middle Tennessee s geographic location in the backyard of a major metropolitan area and its athletic tradition enables the University to bring awareness and visibil- ity to its complete athletic program. Last year, Middle Tennessee s freshman class averaged 22.3 on the ACT entrance exam, which is above the state and national average. Facts and Figures Facts and Figures Middle Tennessee is the largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee Top 30 TV Market Exposure Nielsen Media Research Local Universe Estimates. Ranked nationally as fourth best county for job growth (Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, ). County size projected to double by 2025 (Tennessee State Census Survey, 2000). Middle Tennessee has been the number one choice of midstate valedictorians and salutatorians for several years. Middle Tennessee has won the Sun Belt Conference All-Sports trophy three times in six years. A total of 131 NCAA Tournament appearances. 73 Conference Athlete of the Year Awards. 57 Conference Coach of the Year Awards Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 31

32 Dr. Sidney McPhee President 6th Year Prairie View, 1976 Dr. Sidney A. McPhee is the tenth president of Middle Tennessee State University. Prior to his appointment at MTSU in 2001, he was executive vice chancellor at the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) in Nashville. In addition, he served as chief academic officer and interim chancellor for the Board of Regents System. Before his appointment at TBR, McPhee served in various administrative capacities at several major universities including University of Louisville and University of Memphis. McPhee earned his B.A. degree from Prairie View A&M University; a master s degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; and a doctorate in Applied Behavioral Studies in Education from Oklahoma State University. He is also a graduate of Harvard University Management Development Program and has completed professional development programs at St. Mary s University of San Antonio, Texas, and Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As an academician, President McPhee s scholarly publications and presentations are extensive. His publications have appeared in local, national, and international professional journals. In addition, he is the senior author of a college textbook, Understanding the Campus Culture: An Introduction to College, and has co-authored a chapter for a major college textbook on academic advising. McPhee s scholarly pursuits include several international visits and presentations in locations such as Beijing, China; Penang, Malaysia; Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel; Antwerp, Belgium; Montreal, Canada; Oxford, England; and Nassau, Bahamas. McPhee currently serves on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and the NCAA Executive Committee. In April 2006, the Chronicle of Higher Education identified him as one of the most active leaders in intercollegiate athletics. In May 2005, he was appointed to the NCAA Presidential Commission on the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics. He was appointed in 2006 to a second consecutive term as president of the Sun Belt Conference Executive Committee, in which MTSU s Blue Raiders compete. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve on the National Council for the Humanities, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him. McPhee is a member of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and chairs its membership council. He is a member of the SunTrust Bank Board of Directors (Nashville), SunTrust Regional Bank Board of Directors (Murfreesboro), Adventure Science Center Board, Middle Tennessee Medical Center Board, Murfreesboro Noon Rotary, and the Middle Tennessee Council Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com Boy Scouts of America Executive Board. He is co-chair of the Tennessee Legislative Retreat Task Force on Higher Education. Since McPhee s arrival at MTSU, the University has experienced significant growth in student enrollment and new academic degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Guiding these changes is a new academic master plan focusing on three strategic areas: strengthening academic quality, forging partnerships with business and industry, and creating a student-centered environment. For the first time in the history of the University, four Ph.D. programs were established: in Economics, English, Human Performance, and Public History. New undergraduate programs include Art History; Concrete Industry Management Production, Sales, and Service; and Sport Management. Since 2001, MTSU has seen an increase in research funds, federal funding, and philanthropic donations. In addition to the increase in new academic programs, the University has been successful in raising admission standards, resulting in an increase in high-quality students. MTSU has been the institution of choice for midstate valedictorians and salutatorians in recent years. During the past three years, MTSU has enrolled a significant number of National Merit scholars and Achievement scholars. Great progress has been made in academic accomplishments of student athletes. The graduation rate for athletes exceeds that of the general student population and several conference championships have been won in a variety of sports. McPhee s tenure has seen major improvements in campus facilities. A ten-year, $70 million housing renovation project, scheduled for completion in 2013, includes the refurbishing of all residential facilities. Over $9 million was spent to renovate Andrew L. Todd Hall, which now houses the Art Department and has state-of-the-art equipment for its students and faculty. New facilities completed include Tennessee Miller Coliseum, the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame, and the Wood-Stegall Building, housing the Office of Development. Presently, the University is involved in proposed or active capital projects totaling nearly $300 million. Additionally, McPhee and Director of Athletics Chris Massaro worked extensively with the City of Murfreesboro to secure a $5.5 million gift in late August 2005 to improve the soccer and track complex and upgrade the Reese Smith baseball facility. President McPhee is married to Elizabeth McPhee and they have two children, Seneca and Sidney-Anthony.

33 Director of Athletics 2nd Year Northern Colorado, 1983 Chris Massaro, who spent 20 years at the University of South Carolina, was named the sixth director of athletics in school history on April 8, In a short time, Massaro has made a huge impact by hiring a new head football coach, announcing the school s first-ever capital campaign for athletics, drastically improving the departments APR, and initiating a series of major renovations to existing athletic facilities. On December 12, 2005, Massaro made his highest profile hire when he selected Rick Stockstill to take over the football program. Stockstill became just the second head coach in the I-A era at Middle Tennessee and in his first season led the Blue Raiders to a league championship and their first bowl appearance in the I-A era. There was little time for Massaro to take a break from the rigors of the previous hectic months because in February 2006, still less than a year from his hiring date, the ambitious administrator unveiled the first capital campaign for Blue Raider athletics. This vigorous campaign will lead to a multimillion dollar renovation to Reese Smith Field, home of the Blue Raider baseball team, and will provide an opportunity for economic impact and national exposure, giving Middle Tennessee the possibility of hosting national tournaments. Another lucrative agreement to benefit the Blue Raider athletics department was reached when Massaro and President Sidney McPhee worked extensively with the City of Murfreesboro to secure a $5.5 million gift to improve the soccer and track complex and assist with the renovation of the baseball stadium. Shortly after unveiling the capital campaign, Massaro made another major announcement involving the future of Blue Raider football at the annual Blue- White Spring Game. Massaro announced that generous contributions had made it possible to install a new synthetic surface in Floyd Stadium for the 2006 season. The Blue Raiders became the first school in the country to use the top-of-the-line Sportexe PowerBlade brand, which is touted as the softest and most durable turf on the market. Hitting the ground running was the trademark of Massaro s first year at Middle Tennessee. Two days following his hiring, Massaro was pressed into action to find a replacement to lead the nationally recognized women s basketball program. Massaro made his first hire when he brought on board legendary high school coach Rick Insell to take over the program. With the hirings of Insell and Stockstill, Massaro saw both come away with championships in their first season on the job. If the business of hiring coaches, fundraising, and running the day-to-day operation of the athletic department wasn t enough to keep him busy, Massaro also has made a significant upgrade in the Blue Raider football schedule. During the summer of 2005, he announced a home game that will make Virginia the first team from the highly Chris Massaro regarded ACC to visit Floyd Stadium. On his 100th day on the job, Massaro made one of his biggest announcements: a five-year contract with the University of Memphis to play football. The series will get underway in Part of this contract includes Memphis playing in Floyd Stadium, which will make the Tigers the first in-state Division I-A football team to play the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro. Massaro has also worked out a series with nearby Georgia Tech that will see the Yellow Jackets come to Murfreesboro in Massaro, who helped the BRAA set a fundraising record for annual giving in , quickly made his second hire in early June 2005 when he brought on board a new women s tennis coach, Alison Ojeda, and developed a new radio deal to bring Blue Raider football and men s basketball back to local station WGNS Massaro also worked out an agreement with television station CW 58 in Nashville to become the Home of the Blue Raiders. CW 58 carries a weekly magazine show and the Rick Stockstill and Kermit Davis coaches shows while cross-promoting Blue Raider athletics on three stations (CW 58, Fox 17, and My 30). His media blitz continued with a major move of the Blue Raider Network in 2006 Nashville flagship radio station FM The Fan. The ESPN station carries football, men s basketball, and select women s basketball games for the season. Massaro also inked a deal with Nelligan Sports Marketing in December of 2006 to handle all of the departments corporate sales, radio, and television opportunities. As senior associate athletic director at South Carolina, Massaro provided significant leadership to the department. He became a senior staff member in The Glenwood Springs, Colo., native joined the Gamecock staff under the Ohio University sport administration program in Massaro helped usher the Gamecocks into the Southeastern Conference and learned under legendary athletic director Dr. Mike McGee. Massaro, who is a member of the Rutherford County Sports Council, earned his bachelor s degree in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1983 and his master s degree in sport administration from Ohio University in At UNC, Massaro was a five-year football team member. A 1994 graduate of the Sports Management Institute, Massaro has had experience in developing SMI s class programming on different occasions while also serving on the Executive Committee. The SMI is a cooperative educational effort between the schools of business and the athletic departments from Notre Dame, Texas, Michigan, Southern California, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Massaro and his wife, Cindy, have four children: Hank, Lainey, Rachel, and Ben Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 33

34 Academic Center The Student-Athlete Enhancement Center at Middle Tennessee houses the academic support system and the Blue Raider Athlete Skills for Success (B.R.A.S.S.) Life Skills Program for all 17 Division I-A sports. The center is housed at Johnny Red Floyd Football Stadium on Raider Drive. The facility opened its doors on January 4, 1999, to the delight of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Blue Raider student-athletes can take advantage of the library-like atmosphere as they report for their required study hall hours under the watchful eyes of the director, Jim Rost; assistant director and coordinator of B.R.A.S.S., Wynnifred Counts and assistants Debbie Carroll and Lewis Gray. Rost, in his first year at the helm, makes his way to Middle Tennessee after two years as associate director/academic advisor for football at LSU. The center consists of administrative offices, fully equipped individual and group tutoring rooms, a computer center, and spacious study carrels equipped with task lighting. Services provided by the center include help with registration and preregistration, help with study skills, and updates on NCAA legislation. The center uses an innovative time-clock system activated by the student s ID card for daily and weekly reports. Tutors in various subjects are scheduled in the tutoring rooms throughout all hours of operation, and all tutoring takes place at the center. The mission of the center is to help studentathletes take skills learned on the field and turn them into positive preparation for life after college. The center is also committed to meeting the changing needs of student-athletes. It continues to promote partnerships between the University, the NCAA, and the Murfreesboro community to help Jim Rost Director Wynnifred Counts Assistant Debbie Carroll Assistant Lewis Gray Assistant In the Fall 2006 semester, Middle Tennessee had 156 of 312 student-athletes attain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. achieve its goals. In addition to providing the academic support needed to be successful in the classroom, the center is committed to meeting the needs of student-athletes in life skills development through the very popular B.R.A.S.S. Program. As B.R.A.S.S. coordinator, Counts is dedicated to helping prepare student-athletes for life after college. Blue Raiders volunteer, when possible, to help teachers and students at elementary and middle schools throughout Rutherford County during the academic year. In the spring of each year, Special Olympics at Middle Tennessee uses Blue Raider student-athletes to run each event. Career night and substance and alcohol abuse seminars are yearly, well-attended events. Social events such as the Spring Student-Athlete Ball are eagerly anticipated as the only time during the year when all student-athletes can be together. The Student-Athlete Enhancement Center is just one way that Middle Tennessee is helping to prepare student-athletes for life after college Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

35 Health care is one of the most important aspects of a student-athlete s life, and no university is more committed to keeping athletes healthy than Middle Tennessee. The Sports Medicine facility underwent a $1 million renovation in 2001, giving Middle Tennessee studentathletes one of the finest athletic training facilities in the nation. Head Athletic Trainer Joe-Joe Petrone Joe-Joe Petrone and the Sports Medicine staff have set Head Athletic Trainer liberal hours to make sure each studentathlete has his or her needs met. The Sports Medicine Sports Medicine Drew Shea Assistant recent additions to the equipment in the Sports Medicine facility is a biodex muscle performance-testing machine, which allows the staff to accurately monitor the progress of a student-athlete s rehabilitation. The latest piece of equipment that aids the Sports Medicine staff is a new state-of-the-art computer system Alison Ness that tracks injuries, rehab protocols, Assistant medications, and surgeries. The new computer system allows each athletic trainer to keep student-athlete rehabilitation programs moving forward at as rapid a pace as possible. The facility also contains a fully stocked physician s examination room for the resolution of any minor issues that a student-athlete may encounter without having to take more time-consuming measures. There is also a C-Arm portable X-Ray machine on site. Petrone and his assistants each have an office in the Sports Medicine facility, and there is work space for the nine graduate assistants. Each office is self-contained, allowing private consultations with injured student-athletes. facility opens at 6 a.m. each morning and doesn t close until all student-athletes have been treated. With the 2001 renovation, Sports Medicine tripled in size and vastly improved health care for each Blue Raider program. The Sports Medicine facility contains a complete injury rehabilitation center, new rehab equipment, two full-size whirlpools, a dressing area for athletes, and a private office for the team physicians. There is no waiting in the Sports Medicine facility since there are nine taping stations, eight state-ofthe-art modalities, and a brand-new rehabilitation area. All of the equipment in the facility is top of the line. Athletes can use a full-stride treadmill, a stairmaster, and an exercise bike during their rehabilitation. One of the most The Sports Medicine facility represents the University s commitment to quality health care for its studentathletes, and the Sports Medicine staff is dedicated to providing the best care possible at the Division I-A level Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 35

36 Strength and Conditioning One of the biggest changes in college athletics over the past few years has been the attitude toward strength and conditioning. Performing in the weight room has become just as important as on-the-field competition, and Middle Tennessee has one of the very best staffs in the nation committed to making studentathletes the best they can be. It all happens in the Blue Raiders 10,000-plus square foot weight room facility located adjacent to the north end zone of Floyd Stadium and designed for use by all Middle Tennessee student-athletes. It is a strength training area that rivals any in the country. The weight room has been described by many people as better than any in the immediate area, including those at SEC and Conference USA schools. The facility, which opened in January of 1999, greets student-athletes with over 20,000 pounds of plates and dumbbells, but the sheer volume of weights is not the most impressive aspect of the room. It is equipped with nine full power racks, nine elevated platforms, and nine half-racks. Hammer strength equipment rounds out the room with five ground-base jammers, a dead lift, a leg press, a leg curl, and a leg extension. Other Hammer strength equipment in the facility includes a bench press, a military press, a rowing machine, neck machine, pull-up, and pull-over. An impressive array of dumbbells is also provided for the student-athletes use. Two sets each of dumbbells ranging from five to 150 pounds are kept on racks around the room. Mirrors ring the walls of the room to help studentathletes ensure that they are using proper form throughout their workouts. Cardiovascular Matt Riley Assistant AD/Strength Russell Patterson Football Strength Coach Cedric Walthaw Assistant Jason Spray Assistant equipment, such as treadmills and stationary bikes, is also available in the facility. Other state-of-the-art amenities may also be found in the weight room. A television with cable and a state-of-the-art sound system has been installed for the enjoyment of the student-athletes. Three offices for the strength coaches are located in the facility, along with restrooms and a hospitality area. The weight room also provides direct access to the football stadium, gameday room, and individual meeting rooms and is in close proximity to the Blue Raider Practice Complex. The gameday room is used not only by the Blue Raider football team on game days and for film breakdown but also for press conferences, classes, and other functions. The meeting room is fully equipped with high-tech audio/visual equipment to enhance learning Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

37 The Blue Raiders are always active in community service events, including free clinics throughout the year as well as part of the annual Pro-Am. Middle Tennessee athletes also participate in the Reading Raiders, work with Special Olympics, attend Career Day at various schools, help make up the B.R.A.S.S. program, work with the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County, and host clinics for the wheelchair tennis team at Middle Tennessee. Both the men s and women s teams put on clinics for area youths as well as Junior Raider members of the BRAA. The Reading Raiders began in 1993 and is designed to allow Middle Tennessee athletes the opportunity to give back to the community by getting involved in the lives of children. Within this program, Middle Tennessee athletes serve as role models and motivators in encouraging the importance of reading and proper study skills to students in the Murfreesboro City Extended Schools Program. The B.R.A.S.S. program is another vehicle that encourages student-athletes to become involved in service activities. Through the program, Middle Tennessee hosts the Special Olympics each April. The athletes also visit area schools during the course of the year and read to the students. They also visit the Veterans Hospital each month to visit with the patients and exercise with them. The Reading Raiders and the B.R.A.S.S. programs are directed by Wynnifred Counts. Community Service During the 2004 spring schedule, the Blue Raiders hosted Wally Tidwell Fan Day, dedicating a pavilion as part of the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center. The late Tidwell was a major backer and contributor to the annual Pro-Am during his lifetime. The event now bears his name. The Blue Raiders are also involved with the wheelchair tennis team at Middle Tennessee, conducting clinics and exhibitions for and with the squad at the Tennis Center, as well as the newly formed Murfreesboro Tennis Club Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 37

38 Scarlett Commons TV, and laundry room. Any maintenance issues are a mere phone call away to the 24-hour reception and service desk located in the clubhouse. Residents also enjoy the ease of using Raider Xpress, the University s shuttle buses, to make every class on time. The Red shuttle makes stops in front of the clubhouse every 15 to 20 minutes and is a comfortable way to ride to the door of major buildings on campus. Students living in Scarlett Commons have their own restricted parking lot, so it s easy to find parking in front of their buildings 24 hours a day. Each building has an assigned resident assistant on the first floor. These are student staff members who have the responsibility of helping residents with any difficulties they might have as well as helping to get all the residents involved in activities across campus. Scarlett Commons, named for former Middle Tennessee president M. G. Scarlett, is one of the premier living arrangements at any university in the region. Opened to students in the fall of 1999, the facility provides apartment-style living with the convenience of staying on campus. Nine three-story buildings with 12 apartments each and a useful clubhouse make up the Scarlett complex. Each apartment contains four private bedrooms connected by two private bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a comfortable living room. Each apartment is fully furnished, and window mini-blinds are provided. The kitchen includes a table and four chairs, microwave, refrigerator, stove, and oven. The living area includes a sofa, lounge chair, and television stand. Each bedroom has a closet and is furnished with a bed, dresser, nightstand, and desk with a hutch. Each apartment also includes cable and phone lines in the living room and data lines with access to the Internet for personal computers in each bedroom. The Scarlett Commons clubhouse creates a real sense of community with its recreation/ meeting rooms, fireplace, big screen For more information on Scarlett Commons and other on-campus housing, please access edu/~housing. Scarlett Commons offers apartment style living in the heart of campus with easy access to classes Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

39 Dining Facilities Burger King and Subway serve students until 2:00 a.m. Monday Thursday and 7 p.m. on Fridays. Six 32-inch televisions suspended from the ceiling also catch students up on events around the world. Sofas and armchairs make Cyber Café a great place to relax between classes with coffee or Ben and Jerry s ice cream. A popular event for students is open mic night when live music is performed during the dinner hour. This weekly event fills the cafe to capacity. The café also features a wide array of items traditionally found in convenience stores. Student-athletes can start the day with biscuits and gravy and an omelet from McCallie Dining in Corlew Hall. This is a favorite spot because of the fun atmosphere and all-youcan-eat dining selections. Student-athletes get a chance to relax and socialize with each other while feasting on subs, pizza, grill works, carved meats, fresh deli food, fresh-made pasta, and a salad bar. Thursday nights in McCallie are theme nights featuring, for example, tastes of the bayou on Cajun Middle Tennessee offers five different on-campus dining areas, with the most popular being Keathley University Center (KUC) Grill and Cyber Café. The KUC is located in the center of campus and is a major intersection for student activities. The Grill is located on the second floor and features Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Grille Works, Salad Garden, Chick-Fil-A, and Freshens (desserts and smoothies). The KUC Grill is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday Thursday and is open until 5 p.m. on Fridays. The Cyber Café is the first of its kind in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, offering a futuristic and efficient way for students to dine. Students are able to eat while ing or searching the Web at the same time on eight computers with access to the World Wide Web. night or a feast of egg rolls and fried rice on Far East night. No matter what is served, the fellowship among athletes and students is always enjoyable. A great spot for lunch is James Union Building. Students can enjoy buffet-style foods, pizza and pasta, carved meats, fresh deli food, and freshly made salads. Snack favorites can be found in the Mass Communication and Business and Aerospace buildings and at Lightning s Limo in the stadium breezeway. A new dining area in James E. Walker Library offers Starbucks coffee, sandwiches and wraps, fresh fruit, and fresh-baked pastries Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 39

40 Nashville Nashville: Music City USA Middle Tennessee thrives in the radiant glow of Nashville s exponential growth. Some major metropolitan areas overshadow their neighbors, but Nashville provides unprecedented economic and media support. The relationship between Davidson County and Rutherford County is akin to a big brother looking out for the up-and-coming sibling. Davidson County saw a nearly 14% population growth from 1990 to 2002, and Rutherford County boomed with a 62% increase. (Regional Profile, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, 2003) Living up to the title of Music City USA requires a more than impressive collection of media outlets, coverage, and support. The Tennessean, Nashville Business Journal, and the City Paper each provide superior coverage, and eight local television stations and 29 radio stations never miss a moment of news, weather, and sports action in and around Davidson County. The Sun Belt Conference and its members have access to and are able to draw from the seemingly limitless resources offered by Middle Tennessee s proximity to Nashville. Division I-A member. The MT-Louisville game was a huge success as the Blue Raiders set a new single-game home attendance mark. While Middle Tennessee, a mere 32 miles from Nashville, reaches into Davidson County to provide followers with a high-level of Division I college competition, Music City also provides plenty of professional flair. Football, baseball, and hockey are all covered by the Titans, Sounds, and Predators, respectively. Blue Raiders reach Davidson County alums Middle Tennessee has more than 13,000 alumni in greater Davidson County and the Blue Raider athletic department has a far-reaching impact into the Nashville area. The Blue Raiders regularly play football games in Music City in order to help reach more of their vast, growing fan base. Middle Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in 2001, 2002, and 2005, and the Blue Raiders hosted Big East foe Louisville at LP Field in 2006, marking the first time the football program has played a home football game in Nashville as a Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

41 In the heart of Tennessee lies Murfreesboro, one of the fastest growing cities in the state and the country. Murfreesboro is the home of Middle Tennessee State University and is located at the exact geographic center of the state of Tennessee. Murfreesboro has a storied past and an extremely bright future. Founded in 1811, Murfreesboro was formerly known as Cannonsburgh. The name was changed to Murfreesboro after only 33 days in honor of Revolutionary War Colonel Hardy Murfree. Today, Cannonsburgh historical site, which includes a gristmill, one-room schoolhouse, town hall, log home, and church, is one of the most visited historical sites in the midstate. From 1817 to 1822, Murfreesboro served as the state s capital. The capital was moved to Nashville because of its larger economic base and easy access to the Cumberland River. Murfreesboro has remained a major economic center since the city s founding because of its geographic location: just 30 miles southeast of Nashville and about 90 miles from Chattanooga. Murfreesboro has also seen tremendous growth because of its proximity to interstate highways. Murfreesboro s population of more than 81,000 allows citizens to live in a relatively large city with a small-town atmosphere. Rutherford County has more than 218,000 residents. According to many sources, the county is the fastest growing in the state and one of the fastest growing in the South. Economic growth has boomed almost as fast as the population. The Murfreesboro/Rutherford County area City of Murfreesboro has attracted major manufacturing companies such as Nissan, Bridgestone/Firestone, Georgia Pacific, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computers, and Aladdin. Shopping centers have doubled in number in the past 10 years, and Murfreesboro is one of the largest cities in the country in terms of restaurant-topeople ratio. For the history buff, there are several sites to visit in and around the Murfreesboro area. The 600-acre Stones River National Battlefield was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and can be visited year-round. Oaklands historic site, the Sam Davis home, Fortress Rosecrans, and Cannonsburgh Village recreate the rich history of the area and welcome visitors. Parks and recreation are top-notch in the area. Murfreesboro alone boasts four golf courses: Old Fort, Indian Hills, the VA golf course, and Stones River Country Club. The area also has several other courses, including Smyrna Municipal, Cedar Crest, Champions Run, and Blackberry Ridge. McKnight Park is the home of SportsCom, softball fields, baseball fields, and soccer fields. Oaklands Park includes a 25-acre historical site, picnic areas, and baseball fields. Old Fort Park includes picnic areas for relaxation, baseball fields, tennis courts, and a golf course. In addition to all the parks in the area, the Stones River Greenway is a great way to enjoy a walk, jog, bike ride, or skate on a beautiful scenic trail parallel to the Stones River. If rest and relaxation is not what you are looking for, there are several ways to stay entertained in Murfreesboro. Jazz Fest, Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival, and the International Grand Championship Tennessee Walking Horse Show are among the annual events that attract thousands of visitors to the area. The Nashville Superspeedway is located close to the Rutherford County line and is the host of several races, including a NASCAR Busch Series race. Expanding population and increasing growth have made Murfreesboro a vibrant community. However, growth has not left behind the core values that have made Murfreesboro one of the area s most preferred cities in which to live. With all indications pointing toward a continuation of the area s growth, Murfreesboro will maintain its place among the state s most outstanding and livable cities. Rutherford at a Glance Highest elevation: 1,200 feet Murfreesboro elevation: 619 feet Avg. yearly rainfall: inches Avg. yearly snowfall: 5.9 inches Avg. yearly temperature: 59.6 Avg. winter temperature: 48.0 Avg. summer temperature: 69.6 County population: 218,292 Murfreesboro population: 81, Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 41

42 Sun Belt Conference Sun Belt Conference 601 Poydras Street Suite 2355 New Orleans, LA SunBeltSports.org Wright Waters Bert Carter Wright Waters...Commissioner Bert Carter...Associate Commissioner/CFO Helen Grant...Associate Commissioner/Championships/SWA Rick Mello...Associate Commissioner/Sports Administration Todd Stewart...Associate Commissioner/Media Relations Kathy Keene... Associate Commissioner/Compliance/General Counsel Kristen Chighizola... Championship Assistant Travis Llewellyn...Director of Multimedia/New Media John McElwain... Director of Media Relations Chauntrell Shelby... Administrative Assistant Keith Nunez...Media Relations Assistant Don Lucas...Coordinator of Football Officials Dale Kelley... Coordinator of Men s Basketball Officials Becky Marshall...Coordinator of Women s Basketball Officials Tony Thompson...Coordinator of Baseball Umpires Anne Pufahl...Coordinator of Volleyball Officials Helen Grant Kathy Keene Sun Belt in 31st Season The Sun Belt Conference is one of only 11 NCAA conferences to participate in Division I-A football and is currently in its 31st season in with a proud history of athletic and academic success. During the league s 31-year history there has been much growth to go along with numerous accomplishments. The growth of the league was cemented when the Sun Belt Conference began sponsoring football in The conference sponsors 10 women s sports - basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball; and nine men s sports - basketball, baseball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Rick Mello Todd Stewart Each of the 19 sports has seen numerous team and individual accomplishments, and 12 Sun Belt Conference schools are currently graduating its student-athletes at a rate higher than their school s student body. Nearly 1,300 student-athletes were honored by the conference for having GPA s above 3.0, that mark is the highest in the Sun Belt Conference s history. All Sun Belt schools are committed to excellence in the 21st century, and facility upgrades and expansion are occuring on virtually every campus. Chauntrell Shelby John McElwain The conference continues to utilize television to grow and promote the league. ESPN televises the conference s men s basketball championship game and has done so for 26 straight seasons, while also broadcasting nationally two football games. The league also has a television contract with ESPN and ESPNU, allowing the conference to receive more national and regional TV exposure than ever before. The agreement with ESPN continues the longest conference relationship for the sports television leader. The Sun Belt Conference is led by Commissioner Wright Waters, who is in his eighth full year as commissioner. The conference office has been headquartered in downtown New Orleans since 2000 after moving from suburban Metairie, La., where it had been based since Prior to moving to the Big Easy, the league was based in Tampa, Fla., from The original conference office was located in Charlotte, N.C., from Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com

43 GoBlueRaiders.com GoBlueRaiders.com is a fast and accurate Internet source for official coverage of Blue Raider athletics. Regardless of where you are or what time of day it is, you can access up-to-date information on your favorite Blue Raider sports or athletes. GoBlueRaiders.com has grown to average more than 14.9 million page views a year, with the average visitor spending nearly five minutes on the site each day. The site has seen in excess of 3.1 million visitors since January of After two years of operation under a national sports Web site provider, GoBlueRaiders.com moved to a total in-house operation with a new design and format. Since 2001, the Athletic Media Relations office has managed the site and been responsible for all content, designs, services, and updates. The Web site, named Best Collegiate Sports Web site in 2002 by the Tennessean, underwent a complete renovation in Thanks to members of the media relations staff, pre-game releases; game stories; features; and up-todate statistics, photos, and results for the 17 Blue Raider sports are regularly posted to the site. Add to that online ticketing by Ticketmaster and links to Blue Raider alumni and spirit groups and you have the most complete source of information about Middle Tennessee athletics anywhere. Full-motion video is featured as part of a new Internet subscription package introduced in the summer of The Web site has become a valuable tool in promoting each and every Middle Tennessee scholarship sport. Custom sites for recent standouts such as Dewon Brazelton, Courtney Mitchell, Dwone Hicks, Patrice Holmes, and Chrissy Givens have been integrated into the GoBlueRaiders.com Web site. The site also features complete bios on players and coaches, printable monthly event calendars, press conference audio and video, and photo galleries of many events and games. In partnership with Yahoo! Sports, Middle Tennessee broadcasts play-by-play of all football, men s and women s basketball, and baseball games online. Check This Out! Live and archived video Online ticketing Up-to-the-minute news alerts Ask the AD Event photo galleries On the Air: upcoming media appearances Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com 43

44 Legend of Lightning/Nickname LEGEND OF LIGHTNING In Greek mythology, the winged horse possessed superior cunning and speed. The thundering horse of the gods was entrusted to carry awesome lightning bolts and could only be harnessed by a noble being with a pure heart. Character, talent, and strength were required to mount and ride the fabled winged horse. Today, this winged horse is a fitting symbol of a university that has earned its wings and excels in many academic arenas, including historic preservation, teacher training, aerospace, political science, horse science, and recording industry. But the winged horse is more than a symbol of physical accomplishment; it s also a symbol of character and the responsible wielding of power. The challenge of all great universities and university athletic departments is to help studentathletes build character as well as strength. This winged horse, Lightning, is a symbol to Middle Tennessee students, athletes, and alumni of the soaring school spirit they experience at sporting events. For its nobility and character, the winged horse was immortalized in the stars. Now, with breathtaking speed and thundering, unbridled power, Lightning strikes, forevermore, fear in the hearts of Blue Raider opponents and leads Middle Tennessee to victory! BLUE RAIDER NICKNAME In the early days of athletics at Middle Tennessee State University, the teams were known by several nicknames. Among these were Teachers, Normalites, and Pedagogues. In 1934, it was decided that the school needed a specific nickname. During football season that year, the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal held a contest to name the team. The late Charles Sarver, then a Middle Tennessee football player and later principal at White County High School in Sparta, Tenn., won the $5 prize for his entry of Blue Raiders. Sarver later indicated he had borrowed the nickname of the Colgate Red Raiders but substituted MTSU Blue for Colgate Red. Ever since then, Middle Tennessee athletic teams have been known as the Blue Raiders. For a time, the unofficial mascot for the Blue Raiders was a costumed, cartoon-like dog. A reasonable facsimile of a bluetick hound, the affable character was dubbed Ole Blue. On January 17, 1998, the current mascot, Lightning, was born. The mascot was unveiled, along with an attractive eye-catching logo, at a basketball game in Murphy Center. The introduction of Lightning gave a new identity to the nickname Blue Raiders Middle Tennessee Tennis GoBlueRaiders.com