By: Zachary Lohn
MTN Sports Reporter
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Last Saturday was the final regular season match that Chris Edge and Stepan Holis will ever play for the Blue Raiders Men’s Tennis team. They leave on a high note beating Wichita State 5-0.
This has been something that Blue Raider fans have grown accustomed to as that was their 12th sweep of the year, and both Edge and Holis ended up winning their singles’ matches in dominant fashion.
Holis came to MTSU from the University of New Mexico as a Graduate Transfer. He has helped the team significantly throughout the season as he is 15-8 in singles and 19-4 in doubles.
Something that has stood out for Stepan is the fight this team has. “How we have fought is what has made this year so amazing so far.”
Holis has fought from the time that he has really helped the team. “I have tried to push, even though it is my last year here, the Freshmen.” Holis has given the Blue Raiders an added spark and has slid into the lineup and has provided a spark for the team that has propelled them to no. 17 in the country.
Edge has been with the team since 2017 and has won 163 total doubles and singles matches for the Blue Raiders. He has been a staple for the team since his arrival only losing a total of 70 matches in his five-year career.
Something that has stood out for Chris is the closeness of the team. “When I got here, we were given a shirt that said family on it (a shirt that he joked his sisters have tried to steal since he has brought it home). It really is a family from the players to the media to the fans.”
Edge said that the Blue Grey Tennis Championships was the highest moment in his career. “It was a moment in which the team was the closest.” He said that the energy among the team was unmatched.
This is not the finish line in Edge’s mind. He said that “making a run in the NCAA’s” would be a great way to end his career. Last year, the Blue Raiders were put out by Tulane in the first round. He said they are looking to try and advance farther this year.
Edge is one of the winningest players in program history and has left his mark on the program. He said that the reason that he has done so well is that he is “goal driven” and he just wants to do whatever he can to help put his team in the best position to succeed.
The Blue Raiders have relied heavily on the senior leadership this year as Edge and Holis are a combined 73-23 in dual matches. This has lifted the Blue Raiders to a 24-4 regular season record. The Blue Raiders are looking to lean on the two seniors to win their third straight Conference USA Championship.
To catch the two seniors play before they graduate, they will be playing this week in Norfolk, Virginia and then will more than likely play either at the ATC or in Knoxville in the NCAA Regionals.
Due to the Blue Raiders getting ready of the C-USA Tournament, we were unable to get an interview with Head Men’s Tennis Coach Jimmy Borendame.