Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Tennis Concludes Non-Conference Action at DePaul
3/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 11, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a week off from competition, the Michigan State men's tennis team returns to action on Saturday, March 12 for its final non-conference contest when it travels to Chicago, Ill., to face No. 47 DePaul at 3 p.m. ET. The Spartans enter the weekend ranked 45th in the latest ITA weekly poll with an overall record of 12-1 on the year.
This weekend marks MSU's second road contest of the season as it had previously topped Ball State, 6-1, on Feb. 19. Leading the Spartans at the top of the singles lineup is sophomore Denis Bogatov. Bogatov is ranked No. 120 in singles play in the latest ITA poll, boasting a record of 7-2 during dual season and 18-4 overall. MSU has also seen success in the No. 2 singles slot as junior Ronnie Hulewicz is 8-1 this spring and overall, is 17-5 on the year.
Doubles play has been a consistent presence for MSU as it has won the doubles point in 11 of 13 contests this season, including all but one win this year. Seniors Jason Norville and John Stratton have paced the doubles lineup with a spring record of 5-2 and 8-3 overall. Together, Norville and Stratton are ranked No. 69 in the latest ITA doubles rankings. Senior Austin Brooks and freshman Aaron Pfister boast a solid record together, going 7-3 in dual play throughout the complete doubles lineup.
The Blue Demons enter the weekend with a record of 11-4 on the season and are perfect 7-0 in contests at home. For DePaul, Saturday's contest marks its final home match on the season and serves as the team's senior day. The Blue Demons enter as the 47th-ranked team in the latest ITA poll. Sven Kasper sits atop DePaul's singles lineup with an 8-7 record in dual play and a 13-13 overall mark. Kasper has played every competition at the No. 1 singles position. Kasper partners with Bartosz Jozwiak to comprise the No. 1 doubles tandem. Kasper and Jozwiak have combined for a record of 7-5 for the spring and 18-8 on the year. The pairing has won its last three contests and is 1-0 vs. nationally ranked doubles tandems.
Michigan State continues action on Sunday, March 20 when it opens conference play hosting in-state rival Michigan at 12 p.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
Players Mentioned
