MSU Men's Tennis Squad Looks For Weekend Sweep At No. 23 Alabama
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? The Mississippi State men’s tennis team (5-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference), ranked 75th nationally, will look to complete a weekend sweep on Sunday when it travels to No. 23 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-2, 2-1), after the Bulldogs upset No. 20 Auburn in an exciting 4-3 win Friday afternoon. Match time is set for 1 p.m. CT at UA's Varsity Courts.
"Alabama is certainly a quality opponent, but is a team we feel we can match up well against if we stay focused mentally," said MState head coach Per Nilsson. "We are coming off a very emotional win, but we do not need to be satisfied and must remain determined."
State's 4-3 upset Friday at No. 20 Auburn concluded in dramatic fashion when 118th-ranked Bulldog senior Ryan Farlow overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third set, claiming the final five games of the match to clinch the match and the win for the Maroon and White.
'Bama will be looking to avoid two losses for the weekend after being defeated by third-ranked Ole Miss Rebels at home on Friday, also by a close 4-3 score.
MSU, who has won the doubles point in two of their three Southeastern Conference matches this season, will face a Crimson Tide squad that boasts three doubles teams ranked nationally with the doubles team of Saketh Myneni and Billy Mertz at No. 27, the Crimson Tide tandem of Ricky Doverspike and Mathieu Thibaudeau ranked 29th and Michael Jung and Trey Walston standing 73rd nationally.
UA also sports two players ranked nationally in singles play with Myneni standing at No. 66 and Thibaudeau ranked 114th in the country.
The Bulldogs hold a 25-22 advantage all-time against the Crimson Tide, but have lost their previous two matches to Alabama, and have not won in Tuscaloosa since 2005.
Live stats will be available at
www.mstateathletics.com.