Spartan Seniors Leave Lasting Legacy On Men’s Tennis Program

Spartan Seniors Leave Lasting Legacy On Men’s Tennis Program

4/18/2026 1:55:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Three Spartan seniors help redefine the standard of Michigan State men’s tennis

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State men's tennis is set to honor a trio of seniors in David Saye, Aristotelis Thanos and Ozan Baris, whose impact has contributed to one of the most successful stretches in program history.

Senior Celebrations will take place between doubles and singles action during the match on Sunday, April 19, against Purdue at 12 p.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.

Baris, Thanos and Saye combined to hold numerous conference honors, national recognition and historic milestones.

Aristotelis Thanos has been a top competitor for the Spartans, remaining at the top of the lineup throughout singles action. From Athens, Greece, Thanos has been a key piece of the Spartans' lineup, delivering consistent results against highly ranked opponents. A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and two-time Big Ten Player of the Week, he has established himself as one of the conference's most dangerous competitors.

Throughout his career, Thanos has earned a spot in the NCAA Singles Championships and has played a crucial role in key team victories, clinching match-deciding points against ranked opponents. He has also been recognized as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Aside from his collegiate achievements, Thanos has represented his home country of Greece in the Davis Cup competition, bringing international experience to the Spartan program.

David Saye has proven himself to be a key contributor throughout Michigan State's historic stretch this season.

Saye's contributions have been vital to the Spartans' depth and success during his career. He carved his name into the program record book by capturing a Big Ten Fall Individual Championship title, marking Michigan State's first since 1971.

He also played a role in another historic milestone, winning the Big Ten Fall Individual Doubles Championship, which was the first Spartan doubles title since 1967.

A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Player of the Week recipient, Saye has combined academic excellence with on-court success. His presence in the lineup and commitment to the program have helped support one of the most successful eras in Michigan State men's tennis history.

Ozan Baris has become one of the program's all-time greats. Baris, a local talent from Okemos, Mich., is one of the most decorated players in program history. As a three-time ITA All-American and three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, he has consistently performed among the nation's elite.

On the national stage, Baris made history with a semifinal run at the NCAA Singles Championships in 2024 before advancing even further in 2025, becoming the first Spartan to compete in an NCAA Singles National Championship match. His postseason success cemented his place among the top players in collegiate tennis and marked a new benchmark for the program overall.

Baris also became the first player in program history to earn multiple ITA All-America honors and captured the ITA Midwest Regional Singles Championship, another first for Michigan State.

Off the court, Baris has excelled academically as a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American and as the first Spartan to earn the honors in back-to-back seasons. He also earned the MSU Scholar-Athlete recognition, which highlights his excellence in both competition and the classroom.

Saye, Thanos, and Baris have helped redefine the standard for the Michigan State men's tennis program and will inspire future generations of Spartans.

This trio of 2026 Spartan seniors now has the chance to do something on Sunday that no group of MSU seniors has done since 1967 in winning a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship, to only further enhance their legacy left at Michigan State.