Michigan State University
ITA Midwest Regionals
Men's Tennis Concludes Play at ITA Tournament
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Oct. 17, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Play at the ITA Tournament ended for the Michigan State men's tennis team Friday, Oct. 17, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Three Spartans forced their opponents into three-set matches.
In the third round of the qualifying draw, junior John Stratton (Monroeville, N.J.), sophomore Austin Brooks (Houston, Texas) and freshman Will Davis (Louisville, Ky.) battled for a spot in the main draw.
Stratton faced Zeyad Montasser of Western Michigan picking up the second set, but ultimately fell, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
Brooks, in what was one of the closest matches for the Spartans, fell to Jeff Rutherford of EIU, after taking the first set, dropping the second and then forcing him into a tie-breaker that ended in Rutherford's favor, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(1).
Davis also pushed opponent Michael Hobson of Illinois into a three-set match, taking control during the second set, but fell in a close third set, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6.
Sophomore Ronnie Hulewicz (Tequesta, Fla.) and freshman Denis Bogatov (Gurnee, Ill.) both played for the Spartans in the main draw, but fell in the first round to their respective opponents.
Michigan State will host the Big Ten Indoor Championship to round out fall play, Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. Check back to msuspartans.com for further information regarding the tournament.
Third round Qualifying Draw
Zeyad Montasser (WMU) def. John Stratton (MSU): 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
Jeff Rutherford (EIU) def. Austin Brooks (MSU): 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1)
Michael Hobson (ILLINOIS) def. Will Davis (MSU): 6-2, 1-6, 7-6
Main Draw
Balasz Novak (OSU) def. Ronnie Hulewicz (MSU): 6-1, 6-1
Dennis Nevolo (ILLINOIS) def. Denis Bogatov (MSU): 6-2, 6-0
Players Mentioned
