Michigan State University
Wright State
Michigan State Opens Up the Season 2-0
1/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's tennis team opened the spring season with two home dual matches on Saturday, Jan. 14. Michigan State began the day with a 7-0 sweep over Wright State before defeating Xavier, 5-2.
"It was a good start," said head coach Gene Orlando. "We have been training hard. We have been together now 12 days and this what we have been looking for, to compete against other people and play match format. We were tested and we know we are a work in progress. It's important for the team to win the matches we win because it's going to pay off in the future."
Juniors Jasper Koenen and Michael Dube started the day with a 6-3 win in doubles over Wright State's Javier Alvarez and Donovan Cellupica. Sophomore Billy Shisler and freshman Doug Francken followed suit in doubles defeating Fernando Nardelli and Jacob Perkins 6-2. Sophomores Ivan Rakic and Colin Harvey rounded out doubles play with a 6-5 (6-4) victory over Jason Holloway and Carlos Sanchez.
In singles competition, Shisler finished first defeating Wright State's Donovan Cellupica 6-0, 6-1. Francken was next to finish also with a score of 6-0, 6-1. Harvey followed close behind defeating Carlos Sanchez 6-4, 6-2.
Koenen played No. 1 singles and won 6-4, 6-2 over Javier Alvarez. Sophomore Alexander Kim, who played No. 2 singles, beat Fernando Nardelli 6-3, 6-2. Rakic concluded the singles sweep defeating Jacob Perkins on a score of 3-6, 6-2, and 10-2.
"We played a little nervous against Wright State in our home opener, said Orlando." "The guys were playing in positions that they aren't use to, higher positions, but the end of the day you are playing the guy across the net. We started off a little unconfortable but we were able to work through it and that was good."
Singles competition
1. Jasper Koenen (MSU) def. Javier Alvarez (WSU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Alexander Kim (MSU) def. Fernando Nardelli (WSU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Ivan Rakic (MSU) def. Jacob Perkins (WSU) 3-6, 6-2, 10-2
4. Billy Shisler (MSU) def. Donovan Cellupica (WSU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Colin Harvey (MSU) def. Carlos Sanchez (WSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Doug Francken (MSU) def. Jason Holloway (WSU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Jasper Koenen/Michael Dube (MSU) def. Javier Alvarez/Donovan Cellupica (WSU) 6-3
2. Billy Shisler/Doug Francken (MSU) def. Fernando Nardelli/Jacob Perkins (WSU) 6-2
3. Ivan Rakic/Colin Harvey (MSU) def. Jason Holloway/Carlos Sanchez (WSU) 6-5 (6-4)
Michigan State took a small break in the afternoon before returning to competition in the evening to face off against Xavier. MSU defeated Xavier by a score of 5-2.
"We competed hard and we found ways to get the win but we just know that we have to continue to improve and take advantage of everyday to get better," said Orlando. "We need to take advantage of the opportunities that are ahead of us."
Koenen and Dube went 2-0 on the day in doubles action defeating Jack Dykema and Jeremy Schneider of Xavier, 6-2. Kim and Forman closed out the guaranteed doubles point for MSU defeating Trent Smith and Matthew Graft 6-4. Francken and Shisler lost their decision 6-5 to Matt Bishop and Gabriel Araujo.
Forman, who played No. 1 singles scored the first point in singles play defeating Schneider 6-3 and 6-1. Dube defeated his opponent, Matt Bishop 7-5, 6-3. Shisler was the third to finish and he defeated Matthew Graft 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.
At No. 3 singles, Koenen clenched the meet for the Spartans defeating Jack Dykema 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to give MSU the 4-0 advantage. Kim fell in his match to Trent Smith, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Rakic also fell in the final decision of the night to Matthew Graft, 5-7, 6-3, 1-6.
Michigan State returns to action on Friday, Jan. 20. MSU will travel to Memphis to face the Tigers.
Singles competition
1. Brett Forman (MSU) def. Jeremy Schneider (XAV) 6-3, 6-1
2. Michael Dube (MSU) def. Matt Bishop (XAV) 7-5, 6-3
3. Jasper Koenen (MSU) def. Jack Dykema (XAV) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
4. Trent Smith (XAV) def. Alexander Kim (MSU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
5. Gabriel Araujo (XAV) def. Ivan Rakic (MSU) 6-4, 5-7, 10-4
6. Billy Shisler (MSU) def. Matthew Graft (XAV) 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Michael Dube/Jasper Koenen (MSU) def. Jack Dykema/Jeremy Schneider (XAV) 6-2
2. Matt Bishop/Gabriel Araujo (XAV) def. Doug Francken/Billy Shisler (MSU) 6-5 (7-5)
3. Alexander Kim/Brett Forman (MSU) def. Trent Smith/Matthew Graft (XAV) 6-4
Players Mentioned
