Michigan State Tennis Sweeps Doubleheader

The Michigan State men’s tennis team defeated both Ball State and Eastern Illinois, 7-0 on Saturday.

“It went great, we didn’t lose a set, and we had a good vibe,” senior Aaron Pfister said.

The Spartans began the doubleheader by facing off against head coach Gene Orlando’s alma mater and former coach Bill Richards and the Ball State Cardinals.

“It was bittersweet,” coach Orlando said.

Pfister and freshman Brett Forman set the tone with an 8-2 win in doubles competition vs. the Cardinals.

The teams of John Patrick Mullane and Drew Lied and Harry Jadun and Gijs Linders also won their doubles competitions by a score of 8-6.

The most exciting game of the early session came courtesy of Gijs Linders who won 7-5, 7-6.

“There was ups and downs,” Linders said. “I’m glad the team stood behind me and loved the energy we got from the home crowd.”

Michigan State kept the momentum going against Eastern Illinois.

The Spartans made easy work of the Panthers, winning all the doubles competitions by at least three sets.

Again, the singles competition provided the most exciting finish.

Redshirt senior Will Davis grinded out a victory over Kevin Bauman 6-4, 6-4.

Michigan State improved to 4-3 overall and will travel to Lexington, Ky. next Sunday to play No. 13 Kentucky.

“There will definitely be some added motivation,” Davis said on playing against his hometown university. “I’m looking forward to seeing some old hitting friends.”

Pfister said the key to pulling an upset at Kentucky will be taking care of their bodies over the weekend and having a good practice on Monday.


Troy Jefferson is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports.

Photo: Michigan State University Men’s Tennis