Michigan State University
No. 8 Georgia
MSU Falls To UGA
1/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. - Michigan State (1-3) lost a tough match on Friday to No. 8 Georgia, 4-1, in the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Tennis Courts.
"I saw a lot of fight and determination today, especially early," assistant coach Damian Hume said. "We were taking it to Georgia in their place."
In doubles, Michigan State was missing half of the No. 56 pair of John Patrick Mullane and Harry Jadun, but that didn't stop the Spartans from winning two of the three matches to get the first point.
"The doubles play was inspiring," Hume said. "It's always a big motivational push going into singles play when you win the doubles point."
Jadun played with freshman Jasper Koenen in the No. 3 doubles slot, against Nathan Pasha and Nick Wood from Georgia. The Bulldogs won the match, 6-2.
Brett Forman and Gijs Linders, playing in the No. 1 position for doubles, defeated Paul Oosterbaan and Ben Wagner, ranked No. 16 in the nation, 7-6 (7-4). Michigan State also won the No. 2 doubles match between the duo of Michael Dube and Mac Roy, and No. 34 Eric Diaz and Austin Smith, 7-5.
"For the second week into the season, it feels like (we're playing) like in the middle of the season," head coach Gene Orlando said.
In singles play, Linders took his opponent, No. 15 Nathan Pasha, to three sets, but ultimately fell, 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2.
"Linders played well," Hume said. "He did an awesome job of working and fighting."
No. 11 Austin Smith defeated Forman in No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-3, and No. 101 Nick Wood took down Jadun in the No. 3 singles spot, 6-3, 6-2. In No. 4 singles, Mac Roy fell to Ben Wagland, 6-4, 6-3. Michael Dube and Jasper Koenen left their matches unfinished.
"We had the opportunities to make shots in crucial points, and that's what we need to work on," Hume said.
The Spartans will play Elon on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Singles Competition
1. No. 15 Nathan Pasha (UGA) def. No. 76 Gijs Linders (MSU) 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2
2. No. 11 Austin Smith (UGA) def. Brett Forman (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. No. 101 Nick Wood (UGA) def. Harry Jadun (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Ben Wagland (UGA) def. Mac Roy (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Paul Oosterbaan (UGA) vs. Michael Dube (MSU) 6-3, 2-3, unfinished
6. Peter Bertran (UGA) vs. Jasper Koenen (MSU) 7-5, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. Brett Forman/Gijs Linders (MSU) def. No. 16 Paul Oosterbaan/Ben Wagland (UGA) 7-6 (7-4)
2. Michael Dube/Mac Roy (MSU) def. No. 34 Eric Diaz/Austin Smith (UGA) 7-5
3. Nathan Pasha/Nick Wood (UGA) def. Harry Jadun/Jasper Koenen (MSU) 6-2
Players Mentioned
