Stropp Named SEC Men's Tennis Freshman Of The Week For Second Time
"Malte (Stropp) has been on a roll lately and it is great that he is getting recognized for that," Coach Per Nilsson said. "We have to stay focused and continue to prepare for the tough SEC schedule but it is great to know we can stick a freshman like Malte in our lineup and be successful."
Stropp received the same honor on February 2, and is the first member of the MSU men's tennis team to receive an SEC honor like this twice in a season since Marco Baron was named SEC player of the week twice in 2001.
Stropp had a near perfect weekend as he helped MSU achieve a split weekend over a pair of Texas opponents. This past Friday Stropp was the matching-clinching point for the Maroon and White over TCU as the Bulldogs extended its win streak to three-straight matches. Stropp took down TCU's Christopher Price in straight-sets at the No. 4 spot. Stropp trailed Price 4-2 in the opening set but battled back to win a tiebreaker which eventually helped him win the match and clinch the victory for MSU. In doubles play, Stropp along with teammate Zach White were the only State duo that won against TCu. Stropp and White took down Zach Nichols and Daniel Sanchez, 8-5, at the No. 3 position.
On Sunday Stropp helped MSU take a 3-2 lead at No. 11 nationally ranked Baylor with his win at the No. 3 position. Stropp defeated Dennis Lengsfeld of Baylor in identical-sets, 6-2, 6-2, to give MSU the lead.
Over the weekend Stropp improved to 5-1 in dual match action, has now won four-straight matches and is an impressive 8-1 since play began for the spring.
Stropp will look to keep his streak alive and get the Bulldogs back on the winning track this weekend as MSU hosts a pair of top 25 opponents to open SEC play this weekend. The Bulldogs will serve up against No. 22 Vanderbilt on Friday at 2 p.m. followed with a Sunday match a 1 p.m. against 12th-ranked Kentucky.