No. 2 Buckeyes a Little Too Much for Spartans

Despite a strong effort by Michigan State (6-10, 0-3), the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (19-2, 3-0) defeated the Spartans 5-2 Sunday. The loss was the Spartans first loss at home this season.

The Buckeyes extended their Big Ten regular season match win streak to 86-consecutive matches.

Ohio State won two of the three doubles matches. MSU’s double team of Aaron Pfister and Brett Forman defeated Herkko Pollanen and Chris Diaz.

In doubles competition, Drew Lied and John Patrick Mullane made Peter Kobelt and Kevin Metka of OSU sweat before ultimately losing 8-7 (7-3).

“It was neck and neck,” said Mullane. “Their team is good.”

Ohio State won four of the six matches in singles competition. The Spartans’ wins came courtesy of Mullane and Pfister.

“We never let the rankings decide who we are. It was just a series of unfortunate events,” said Mullane, who defeated nationally ranked Pollanen in singles play.

The Spartans will try and build momentum on Friday when the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-7, 1-1) come to town.


RESULTS
 
Doubles:
1) #9 Kobelt/Metka (OSU) def. Lied/Mullane (MSU) 8-7(3)
2) Steinbach/Callahan (OSU) def. Linders/Jadun (MSU) 8-3

3) Pfister/Forman (MSU) def. Diaz/Pollanen (OSU) 8-4
 
Singles:

1) #9 Kobelt (OSU) def. Lied (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
2) Pfister (MSU) def. Diaz (OSU) 7-6(5), 6-4
3) Mullane (MSU) def. #120 Pollanen (OSU) 6-4, 6-2
4) Metka (OSU) def. Forman (MSU) 7-6(6), 7-6(7)
5) #88 Callahan (OSU) def. Linders (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
6) Steinbach (OSU) def. Davis (MSU) 7-6(5), 7-5

Troy Jefferson is the host of Match Point for Impact Sports.

Photo: Anthony Serafino/Impact Sports