Saturday, February 13
Columbus, OH
4 P.M.
Michigan State University
0
at
4
Ohio State
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Spartans Fall in Season Opener at No. 8 Ohio State
2/13/2021 6:24:00 PM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Eighth-ranked Ohio State took two matches from the Michigan State men's tennis team on Saturday at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio, in the season opener for the Spartans. The two duals were nonconference matches as MSU returned to the court for the first time since last Feb. 29.
"Ohio State is a great team and today was a good measuring stick for us," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "It was a great opportunity to get out and compete after not playing for 11 months. We got a good sense of where we need to improve and I'm excited to start the Big Ten season next Saturday against Minnesota."
In the morning dual, Ohio State (3-1) won all six singles matches and the doubles point for a 7-0 victory. At No. 1 doubles, Nick Williams and Graydon Lair were tied at 4-4 with the fourth-ranked duo in the nation, John McNally and Robert Cash, but the was match was called off after MSU fell at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles and Ohio State secured the point. OSU has three doubles teams ranked in the top 51 in the ITA Rankings.
In the afternoon dual, the Buckeyes won all three doubles matches to take an early 1-0 lead. At No. 2 doubles, Jarreau Campbell and Graydon Lair held a 5-2 lead over Robert Cash and JJ Mercer, but Case and Mercer rallied to win the final five games and take the match, 7-5.
The two teams then played to clinch in singles, and OSU won points at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 singles to earn the 4-0 victory.
The Buckeyes featured four ranked players in their afternoon singles lineup and three in their morning lineup.
Michigan State will open Big Ten play next Saturday, Feb. 20 at home against Minnesota at noon.
"Ohio State is a great team and today was a good measuring stick for us," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "It was a great opportunity to get out and compete after not playing for 11 months. We got a good sense of where we need to improve and I'm excited to start the Big Ten season next Saturday against Minnesota."
In the morning dual, Ohio State (3-1) won all six singles matches and the doubles point for a 7-0 victory. At No. 1 doubles, Nick Williams and Graydon Lair were tied at 4-4 with the fourth-ranked duo in the nation, John McNally and Robert Cash, but the was match was called off after MSU fell at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles and Ohio State secured the point. OSU has three doubles teams ranked in the top 51 in the ITA Rankings.
In the afternoon dual, the Buckeyes won all three doubles matches to take an early 1-0 lead. At No. 2 doubles, Jarreau Campbell and Graydon Lair held a 5-2 lead over Robert Cash and JJ Mercer, but Case and Mercer rallied to win the final five games and take the match, 7-5.
The two teams then played to clinch in singles, and OSU won points at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 singles to earn the 4-0 victory.
The Buckeyes featured four ranked players in their afternoon singles lineup and three in their morning lineup.
Michigan State will open Big Ten play next Saturday, Feb. 20 at home against Minnesota at noon.
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