Michigan State University
Santa Clara
No. 61 Men's Tennis Downs Santa Clara, 4-3
3/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 12, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Michigan State men's tennis team (12-1) recorded its fourth straight win, defeating Santa Clara, 4-3, Wednesday evening in a four hour, 20 minute match. The Spartans picked up the doubles point for the 11th time this season and registered wins at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
MSU took an early lead after taking the doubles point. John Stratton and Austin Brooks defeated Kyle Dandan and Tommy Hicks, 8-3, while Alex Forger and Scott Rasmussen downed Charlie Burke and John Iwanski, 8-1. The doubles tandem of Jason Norville and John Allare fell in a tie-breaker at the No. 1 position to Jay Wong and Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong, for their first loss of the dual season.
The Spartans registered wins in three of the six singles matches to record the win. Senior Scott Rasmussen posted a three set win over Tommy Hicks, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Freshman Ronnie Hulewicz picked up a 6-0, 6-4 win at the No. 5 position to improve to 11-1 on the dual season, while junior Jason Norville posted the same score at the No. 6 spot.
The ITA released its weekly poll on Tuesday, with MSU ranked 61st nationally and marking the first time this season the Spartans are ranked as a team.
MSU returns to action on Thursday, March 12 with a match against California in Berkley.
RESULTS
Doubles
No. 1 Jay Wong/Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong def. Jason Norville/John Allare, 8-7 (7-5)
No. 2 John Stratton/Austin Brooks def. Kyle Dandan/Tommy Hicks, 8-3
No. 3 Alex Forger/Scott Rasmussen def. Charlie Burke/John Iwanski, 8-1
Singles
No. 1 Jay Wong def. John Allare, 6-0, 6-4
No. 2 Kyle Dandan def. Alex Forger, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3)
No. 3 Scott Rasmussen def. Tommy Hicks, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
No. 4 Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong def. Austin Brooks, 6-3, 4-6. 6-3
No. 5 Ronnie Hulewicz def. John Iwanski, 6-0, 6-4
No. 6 Jason Norville def. Charlie Burke, 6-0, 6-4
Players Mentioned
