Spartans Lose Heartbreaker

March 21, 2014

The Michigan State men’s tennis team lost a close one to the No. 27 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (14-2, 1-1) on the road.

The Spartans (6-9, 0-2) are still searching for their first road win after the 4-3 defeat.

Penn State won two of three matches in doubles play and split with Michigan State in the six singles matches.

Sophomore John Patrick Mullane, junior Gijs Linders and freshman Brett Forman won their matches in singles play.

Michigan State will have a chance to build on Friday’s performance when they return home on Sunday to take on No. 2 Ohio State (17-2, 2-0) at noon.

East Lansing has been friendly to the Spartans, who are undefeated at home.

RESULTS

 
Doubles:
1) #45 Bader/Stakhovsky (PSU) def. Lied/Mullane (MSU) 8-5
2) Reilly/Young (PSU) vs. Linders/Jadun (MSU) 4-6, unfinished
3) Kohan/Lutschaunig (PSU) def. Pfister/Forman (MSU) 8-7(5)
 
Singles:
1) #47 Stakhovsky (PSU) def. Lied (MSU) 7-5, 6-4
2) Bader (PSU) def. Pfister (MSU) 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-4
3) Mullane (MSU) def. Fennell (PSU) 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3
4) Forman (MSU) def. Barry (PSU) 7-5, 7-5
5) Linders (MSU) def. Trkulja (PSU) 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3
6) Kohan (PSU) def. Roy (MSU) 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-3

Troy Jefferson is host of Match Point for Impact Sports.

Photo: Anthony Serafino/Impact Sports