Men's Tennis Opens Season 2-0 With Doubleheader Sweep

Saturday, January 12

East Lansing, Mich.

10 a.m.

Michigan State University

Xavier

Sophomore Jack Winkler was a standout for the Spartans at No. 1 Singles.

1/12/2019 9:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Men's Tennis vs. Xavier Men's Tennis vs. Chicago State

Michigan State defeated both Xavier and Chicago State on Saturday.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- In front of a pair of great crowds, the Michigan State men's tennis team started their season strong on Saturday, January 12, defeating both Xavier and Chicago State to open the dual meet season from the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. Despite dropping the doubles point in each match, the Spartans prevailed in singles action to come away with a pair of victories.

Following Saturday's matches, Michigan State starts their season with a 2-0 record and Xavier is 1-1 following a loss to Michigan State and a 4-3 victory over Chicago State that was also played from MSU's home court. The Spartans were able to end things early in both matches, winning 4-2 over Xavier and 4-1 over the Cougars of Chicago State.

"Overall, I think today was a success, but there's some things we need to work on with doubles to get more returns in play," said Michigan State head coach Gene Orlando. "When you look at it, starting three freshman, two sophomores and a senior who hasn't been able to really play since his sophomore year, I'm glad that we were able to find ways to win and know that as the season goes on we're only to improve when the stakes are a little bit higher."

Sophomore Jack Winkler, alongside freshmen Carson Gates and Anthony Pero went a combined 6-0 for the Spartans in singles on Saturday, providing a necessary boost towards victory for MSU. Pero fell behind against Xavier, losing his first set 6-4, but bounced back to claim 6-4 and 6-3 set victories to clinch the morning dual for Michigan State.

"The freshmen who were getting their first opportunities this weekend, they showed the ability to compete at this level with a next point mentality," said Orlando.

Senior Ivan Rakic and sophomore John Carlin each picked up one win apiece with Carlin finishing the day 1-0 at No. 2 singles.

Winkler was most impressive for the Spartans at No. 1 singles, winning his four sets by a combined 24-5 total. As a senior, Rakic's experience showed in both of his matches, despite taking a 2-1 loss to Xavier's Matthew Graft at No. 3 singles in the early portion of the doubleheader. Rakic fell behind following a 6-3 first set against Graft, but took set two by a tally of 6-1 before forcing a 7-6 tiebreaker in the third.

"Jack Winkler really stood out to me playing number one singles today," said Orlando. "He's able to compete against any team and any number one player."

Michigan State is back in action next weekend as they head out East for three matches in three days from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. While out East the Spartans will face-off with Yale, Army and Cal Poly on January 18-20. Two seasons ago, Michigan State welcomed Army and Air Force to the indoor tennis facility over President's Day weekend for a pair of dual meets.

"We're excited to see the United States Military Academy, that place is obviously special in what they do for our country. We have an opportunity to do some things that most student-athletes don't get the chance to do so we're really excited about it," said Orlando. "The whole weekend is going to be a great challenge for us, but I'm excited about it."

Michigan State vs. Xavier
Michigan State 4, Xavier 2

Singles
1. Jack Winkler (MSU) def. Brett Winters (XU) 6-1, 6-1
2. John Carlin (MSU) def. Jack Dykema (XU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Matthew Graft (XU) def. Ivan Rakic (MSU) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6
4. Nick Williams (MSU) vs. Connor Lafavre (XU) 6-4, 4-6, 2-5, unfinished
5. Carson Gates (MSU) def. Jan Vrba (XU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-0
6. Anthony Pero (MSU) def. Michael Lee (XU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Doubles
1. Brett Winters/Jack Dykema (XU) def. John Carlin/Jack Winkler (MSU) 6-4
2. Matthew Graft/Connor Lafavre (XU) def. Anthony Pero/Ivan Rakic (MSU) 6-3
3. Carson Gates/Nick Williams (MSU) vs. Jan Vrba/Michael Lee (XU) 4-5, unfinished

Michigan State vs. Chicago State
Michigan State 4, Chicago State 1

Singles
1. Jack Winkler (MSU) def. Felix Savard (CSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. John Carlin (MSU) vs. Jakov Suler (CSU) 7-6, 4-3, unfinished
3. Ivan Rakic (MSU) def. George Botha (CSU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Nick Williams (MSU) vs. Francesco Bonacia (CSU) 3-6, 4-5, unfinished
5. Carson Gates (MSU) def. Gonzalo Martinez (CSU) 6-2, 7-5
6. Anthony Pero (MSU) def. Nicholas Liddy (CSU) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. John Carlin/Jack Winkler (MSU) vs. Jakov Suler/Felix Savard (CSU) 2-4, unfinished
2. Nicholas Liddy/George Botha (CSU) def. Ivan Rakic/Anthony Pero (MSU) 6-2
3. Francesco Bonacia/Gonzalo Martinez (CSU) def. Nick Williams/Carson Gates (MSU) 6-2