Friday, March 12
East Lansing, MI
3 P.M.
Michigan State University
0
vs
7
Ohio State
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
No. 8 Buckeyes Defeat Spartans
3/12/2021 5:59:00 PM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Eighth-ranked Ohio State topped the Michigan State men's tennis team, 7-0, Friday afternoon at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
The Spartans battled in the doubles point, but the Buckeyes held off MSU to take a 1-0 advantage. The fourth-ranked duo of John McNally and Robert Cash beat Josh Mukherjee and Graydon Lair on the second court, 6-2, but Kazuki Matsuno and Nick Williams recorded a 6-2 victory over the No. 37 ranked doubles team in the nation in James Trotter and Justin Boulais. Reed Crocker and Drew Keene came up just short at No. 3, falling to JJ Mercer and JJ Tracy, 6-4.
"Everything kind of came together for them (Matsuno and Williams) today," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "They really looked balanced. The next step for them is being consistent and playing at that level, match in and match out."
Featuring four ranked players in its singles lineup, Ohio State (9-1, 6-0 Big Ten) used the momentum from the doubles point and recorded straight-set wins in five of the six singles matches.
At No. 3 singles, Carson Gates fell 7-5 to No. 80 James Trotter in the first set, but rallied to win 6-2 in the second set. Trotter ultimately pulled away in the super tiebreaker, 10-7, to get the victory.
"In doubles, we were right there," said Orlando. "It was exciting, but obviously we didn't win it. It was a good Ohio State doubles lineup, and we were right there, toe-to-toe.
"Individually, singles-wise, they were able to take our best shots, and they had an answer. They took it to us right away and we dug ourselves a hole, and they are just too good of a team to spot them the lead. Give Ohio State credit – they have a lot of great players. I definitely feel we gained some inches in terms of improving (from the season opener against the Buckeyes). Now we just have to get ready for Penn State."
Michigan State (2-5, 2-3 Big Ten) returns to action Sunday to face Penn State in the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility at noon. Live stats and video will be available at msuspartans.com.
The Spartans battled in the doubles point, but the Buckeyes held off MSU to take a 1-0 advantage. The fourth-ranked duo of John McNally and Robert Cash beat Josh Mukherjee and Graydon Lair on the second court, 6-2, but Kazuki Matsuno and Nick Williams recorded a 6-2 victory over the No. 37 ranked doubles team in the nation in James Trotter and Justin Boulais. Reed Crocker and Drew Keene came up just short at No. 3, falling to JJ Mercer and JJ Tracy, 6-4.
"Everything kind of came together for them (Matsuno and Williams) today," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "They really looked balanced. The next step for them is being consistent and playing at that level, match in and match out."
Featuring four ranked players in its singles lineup, Ohio State (9-1, 6-0 Big Ten) used the momentum from the doubles point and recorded straight-set wins in five of the six singles matches.
At No. 3 singles, Carson Gates fell 7-5 to No. 80 James Trotter in the first set, but rallied to win 6-2 in the second set. Trotter ultimately pulled away in the super tiebreaker, 10-7, to get the victory.
"In doubles, we were right there," said Orlando. "It was exciting, but obviously we didn't win it. It was a good Ohio State doubles lineup, and we were right there, toe-to-toe.
"Individually, singles-wise, they were able to take our best shots, and they had an answer. They took it to us right away and we dug ourselves a hole, and they are just too good of a team to spot them the lead. Give Ohio State credit – they have a lot of great players. I definitely feel we gained some inches in terms of improving (from the season opener against the Buckeyes). Now we just have to get ready for Penn State."
Michigan State (2-5, 2-3 Big Ten) returns to action Sunday to face Penn State in the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility at noon. Live stats and video will be available at msuspartans.com.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1,3
#1 Singles Match
12
Cannon Kingsley / 0 (5/-) [OSU]
66
03
#2 Singles Match
12
John McNally / 0 (11/-) [OSU]
66
04
#3 Singles Match
123
James Trotter / 0 (80/-) [OSU]
721
560
#4 Singles Match
12
Kyle Seelig / 0 (25/-) [OSU]
66
41
#5 Singles Match
12
JJ Tracy / 0 [OSU]
66
11
#6 Singles Match
12
Robert Cash / 0 [OSU]
66
10
Order of Finish:
6,5,1,2,4,3
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
A Mental Journey | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, January 23
Harry Jadun | Men's Tennis Press Conference | Jan. 14 2025
Tuesday, January 14
Ozan's Historic Run | Spartans All-Access
Wednesday, November 27
Harry Jadun | Men's Tennis Press Conference | Nov. 18 2024
Monday, November 18