2008 Woodie Awards
Mens's tennis team wins national title
Clarence Plank
Issue date: 6/13/07 Section: Sports
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It was a normal day for Siljestrom-Born as they went about their business in Athens, Ga. They arrived in Georgia four days early and got some practice in before the championships later on in the week. They were itching to get started.
"We were kind of anxious to play," Born said. "Once we got to play we took it one day at a time because we always knew the competition down there was good."
This was there first trip to the NCAA's doubles championship beyond the semifinals for the Blue Raiders team, but it was not their first shot a doubles title.
They won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championship in 2005. Siljestrom-Born lost in the finals of the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in the fall and failed to win the conference this season.
Going into the finals they face the NCAA's defending champs of Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe of the University of Illinois.
MT was down in the first set, but rallied in the second and third sets to pull out the win for the doubles championship. Siljestrom-Born finished 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) to close out the season and give head coach Dale Short his first national title and last win as MT's tennis coach.
"I was just thinking to try to take one match at the time and not look ahead," Siljestrom said. "I knew we were very hard to beat especially in three sets matches. I felt that we were the best team in the tournament but, we had to prove it as well."
MT has won three national championships. Although they were all All-American Championships, this was the Blue Raiders first NCAA Doubles Championships.
"I was very proud of us," Siljestrom said. "I couldn't stop smiling. It was a dream come true for all of us and for the MTSU tennis program. I hope this win will make the program even better."
Three years ago when Born transferred to MT from Tennessee Tech Coach Short paired him with Siljestrom. It took them sometime to adjust working together, but in time they started improve.
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