Spartan Men’s Tennis Downs Ball State, 6-1

 

Spartans improve to 10-1 on season with win. Photo courtesy of MSU SID.

 

MUNCIE, Ind. – The No. 49 Michigan State men’s tennis team traveled to Muncie, Ind., to face Ball State in its first road match of the season. The Spartans improved to 10-1 on the season as they topped the Cardinals, 6-1.

 

Michigan State kicked the day off strong by winning two of the three doubles matches. The No. 2 doubles tandem of Austin Brooks and Aaron Pfister topped Alex Brym and Austin Smith, 8-4. The Spartans earned the doubles point with the pairing of Clark Richardson and Mat Nelson defeating Shaun Bussert and Austin Sanson, 8-5, in the No. 3 position. Zane Smith and Derek Carpenter topped Jason Norville and John Stratton at No. 1 doubles, 8-5.

 

Brooks and Drew Lied earned the most convincing singles wins on the day for MSU at the No. 3 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Brooks topped Byrm, 6-2, 6-2, while Lied downed Bussert, 6-1, 6-2.

 

Bogatov earned his second win of the day when he downed Dalton Albertin, 6-3, 4-6, 12-10 at No. 1 singles. Stratton sought redemption after his earlier doubles loss, downing Zane Smith, 6-3, 7-5. Pfister earned a singles win for the Green and White at the No. 5 position as he topped Austin Smith by score of 6-3, 6-4.

 

Ronnie Hulewicz suffered the lone singles loss for MSU as he fell, 7-6 (6), 6-2 to Cliff Morrison at No. 2 singles.

 

The Spartans continue action next weekend when they host their fourth doubleheader of the season, as Detroit and Valparaiso visit East Lansing on Saturday, Feb. 26. MSU is set to face Detroit at 10 a.m., and Valparaiso at 4 p.m. Both matches will be held at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.

 

Doubles

1.    Zane Smith/Derek Carpenter (BSU) def. Jason Norville/John Stratton (MSU), 8-5

2.    Austin Brooks/Aaron Pfister (MSU) def. Alex Brym/Austin Smith (BSU), 8-4

3.    Clark Richardson/Mat Nelson (MSU) def. Shaun Bussert/Austin Sansone, 8-5

 

Singles

1.    Denis Bogatov (MSU) def. Dalton Albertin (BSU), 6-3, 4-6 (12-10)

2.    Cliff Morrison (BSU) def. Ron Hulewicz (MSU), 7-6 (6), 6-2

3.    Austin Brooks (MSU) def. Alex Brym (BSU), 6-2, 6-2

4.    John Stratton (MSU) def. Zane Smith (BSU), 6-3, 7-5

5.    Aaron Pfister (MSU) def. Austin Smith (BSU), 6-3, 6-4

6.      Drew Lied (MSU) def. Shaun Bussert (BSU), 6-1, 6-2