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Heralded freshmen help MT reach NCAA Tourney

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – All eyes at Murfreesboro's Adams Tennis Complex were on Middle Tennessee freshman Pavel Motl.

After a tiebreaker win by junior Tom Moonen at No. 3 singles, the Blue Raiders found themselves knotted at 3 with top-seeded Florida Atlantic, sending the fate of the Conference USA Men's Tennis Championship title to the battle at No. 6. It was a long comeback after the men in blue found themselves in an early 3-1 hole.

Motl, a 21-year-old – he's a little older than your typical freshman – native of the Czech Republic, found himself facing a second serve with a 40-30 advantage in the 12th game of a decisive third set.