Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Preps for Rivalry in Two-Match Weekend
2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's tennis team will have one final doubleheader against Western Michigan and Chicago State, Feb. 11 to complete its seven-game road stretch. Michigan State will play rival Western Michigan first at 12 p.m. at the WMU West Hills Athletic Club. At the conclusion of the match the Spartans will travel to Homewood, Ill., for a 7 p.m. start against Chicago State at the Homewood-Flossmoore Racquet and Fitness Club.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State is entering this weekend on a two-game winning streak after sweeping Ball State and IUPUI in its doubleheader last weekend, Feb. 4. The Spartans defeated Ball State, 5-2, and then went on to defeat IUPUI, 4-3, later that day. Against Ball State, Michigan State started off the match by winning the doubles point. Junior Brett Forman won his third-consecutive match at No. 1 singles. Juniors Jasper Koenen and Michael Dube both secured their singles victories after not playing in No.1 doubles due to the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles victories.
Later that day against IUPUI, Dube and Koenen earned victories in their singles matches. The Spartans also secured wins in the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots to close out the match. Sophomore Billy Shisler and freshman Doug Francken picked up the lone doubles victory against IUPUI, 6-0, and are now on a three-match win streak.
Scouting Western Michigan
Western Michigan is coming off its first road win of the season after defeating Middle Tennessee State 4-3. After the win, the Broncos improved to 4-3 overall. Western Michigan currently holds a 27-match home winning streak.
Michigan State and Western Michigan have a long all-time series history, dating back to May 30, 1941. The Spartans hold the advantage in the all-time series record 51-24 despite falling to the Broncos in their last two meetings.
MSU is looking to give doubles partners Matt Hamilton and Jannik Opitz their first loss as they are undefeated in match play this season with a record of 2-0. Sophomore Matej Svjetlicic has a 5-2 record in singles play this spring and Eric Olivarez who has primarily played in the No. 6 singles is currently on a five-match win streak.
"Western Michigan is just another instate rival," said Orlando. "They have beaten us the last two years but we've gone back and forth and I think that help contributes to a rival. The coaches has been there for 20 years and I've been here 26, and we've played each other every year both home and away. The history just goes back a ways and they've always had some quality teams and we've had some great battles over the years."
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State is 0-7 on the season and looking to earn its first victory during its seven match homestand. The Jaguars are playing host to two schools this weekend, welcoming Saint Joseph in the afternoon before hosting the Spartans at 7 p.m. ET.
Chicago State is paced by Gonzalo Martinez who has amassed a record of 10-10 in singles. The duo of Martinez and Christina Gonzalez lead the Jaguars in doubles play having picked up seven doubles victories.
"It's not easy having a doubleheader in one day," said Orlando. "It's nice when they're home, but this time its not and it's definitely a grind. We will turn around at Western and have to get down to Chicago State with not much time. It'll be like the Ball State match last week. The second match is always more tough, but we'll grind through it."
NEXT UP
The Spartans will return home after seven road matches to host Air Force and Army over President's Day weekend. MSU will welcome Air Force on Feb. 17, with the match set to begin at 6 p.m. The second match of the weekend against Army will take place on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
