Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Finishes Regular Season At Home
4/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's tennis (8-16, 1-8) will host Nebraska (10-13, 0-9) on Saturday, April 21 at 12 p.m. and Iowa (15-12, 3-6) on Sunday, April 22 at 12 p.m. in East Lansing, Michigan. Weather permitting, the matches will be played on the Outdoor Tennis Courts.
On Sunday, head coach Gene Orlando and assistant coach Harry Jadun will honor the three seniors graduating from Michigan State this May. Brett Forman, Michael Dube and Jasper Koenen will be recognized for the commitment, dedication and hard work while on the Spartan men's tennis team prior to the match against Iowa.
LAST TIME OUT
This past weekend, the Spartans battled two Big Ten opponents, opening the weekend at Minnesota. Strong efforts came from Koenen, Forman and freshman Josh Mukherjee, but the Spartans were unable to score in a loss to the No. 36-ranked Gophers, 7-0. The Spartans concluded the weekend at Wisconsin, where senior Michael Dube scored the team's lone point with a win at No. 3 singles over Lamar Remy in the Spartans' 6-1 loss.
QUOTING HEAD COACH Gene Orlando
On the last home matches…
I expect the guys to give it their all and dig a little deeper, especially for the seniors. Obviously, we still have some unfinished business. We still have high expectations. They're two matches that, like any other match, are winnable. We'll be playing outside for the first time all spring, so we're just trying to get out here and put ourselves in the best position.
On what the three seniors have meant to the program…
To see them all grow from freshmen to now, they've pushed this program forward. It has not been an easy road. The guys have done it the right way and they've worked hard. They're true Spartans.
QUOTING SENIOR Jasper Koenen
On what to expect from the matches of the regular season…
It's definitely bittersweet that it's coming to an end as a senior in our last home matches. I'm really excited. We're in a really good spot right now. We've had some tough road competition, but we're really excited to be back at home. We always play our best tennis here and we're excited to end the season on a good note.
On what the program has meant to him…
This program has meant a lot to me. The opportunities that I've had, the support that Coach Orlando has given me. I've had a couple different assistant coaches, but Harry being my teammate my freshman year and to be my coach as well, this program has meant a lot to me. I will always support it and am excited for the future of it. It's going to be tough leaving, but it means the world.
On what he will miss the most about Michigan State…
I will miss the people, for sure. When I look back on why I committed to Michigan State, it was for the people that are here, how much everyone cares about one another and how much you feel like you're a Spartan and you belong here. It's going to be hard moving across the country to Oregon (for a position with Nike) and being so far away. I'm going to miss my teammates, my coaches and everyone else that's played a role in my time here.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska is 10-12 overall and still looking for its first win in the Big Ten after nine conference matches. The Spartans hold a 6-5 advantage over Nebraska since the team joined the Big Ten, although the Huskers have won the past four meetings between the two programs. The teams last met on April 21, 2017, when the Huskers won a close match against the Spartans, 4-3, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Senior Linus Erhart leads the Nebraska lineup with a record of 17-5 in dual matches this season, including a 9-1 record at No. 3 singles. Erhart usually pairs with junior Toby Boyer at No. 1 doubles, boasting an 11-7 record.
SCOUTING IOWA
Iowa owns a record of 15-12 overall and is 3-6 in B1G action. The Hawkeyes split their matchess last weekend, falling to No. 48 Indiana, 4-3, on Friday, April 13 but bouncing back with a 4-3 victory over Purdue. Iowa faces No. 12 Michigan on Saturday, April 12 before visiting East Lansing.
Freshmen Will Davies and Joe Tyler lead the Hawkeyes with a team-high 15 dual wins in singles action, and the doubles duo of Davies and freshman Piotr Smietana is 19-6 on the season.
MSU holds a close all-time record with Iowa, though the Hawkeyes lead 37-33 overall. The Hawkeyes won the last match-up on April 23, 2017, 4-0.
UP NEXT
As the Spartans conclude regular season play, they will prepare for the Big Ten Championships stretching from April 26-29 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Players Mentioned
