Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Tennis Hosts First Match Of Spring Season
1/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 11, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
SPRING SEASON
The Michigan State men's tennis team kicks off its spring season as it hosts Butler at 11 a.m., and Wright State at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the MSU Indoor Facility in East Lansing. Michigan State will attempt to stay undefeated as it holds a 3-0 all-time record against Butler, and 7-0 all-time record against Wright State. The 2007-08 season will mark Gene Orlando's 17th year as head coach of the Spartans.
LAST YEAR
The Spartans look to rebound after a 2006-07 season in which the team finished 11-16 overall and 2-9 in the Big Ten. MSU thrived on its own court last season, recording a 10-6 record at home. Michigan State's biggest win last year came against Big Ten rival No. 37 Penn State, as it beat the Nittany Lions, 4-3, in East Lansing on April 14. Experience will play a factor for MSU this season, as it returns five upperclassmen and eight letterwinners from 2006-07.
SO FAR
Junior Alex Forger owns the best record in singles this season, going 4-4 in tournament play. Nick Rinks and Adam Monich as a pair hold the best doubles record, entering dual match play with a 3-3 mark.
SEASON SCHEDULE
MSU will compete in 15 different matches before it starts Big Ten play at the end of February. The Spartans will square off against 14 teams in 2008 that are ranked in the top-75. Some of the the Spartans' non-conference matches include No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 11 Oklahoma State, No. 23 Tulsa, and No. 33 Vanderbilt. The schedule remains tough as Michigan State enters Big Ten play, as eight of the 11 teams in the Big Ten are ranked in the top-75, including No. 3 Ohio State, No. 8 Illinois, No. 21 Michigan, and No. 27 Wisconsin.
