#15 Netmen To Host #7 Florida, #22 South Carolina For Super Bulldog
MSU, 11-5 overall, has won nine of its last 12 contests, including a 6-2start in Southeastern Conference play. The Bulldogs are currently in thirdplace in the SEC behind the league-leading Gators and No. 4 Mississippi,which currently holds down the second spot.
Florida, which has been victorious in 10 straight matches, will bring a15-4 overall record into Friday's match. The Gators, whose four losses haveall come to teams which are top 6 in the nation at present, are undefeatedin SEC play with an 8-0 mark. UF has three players currently ranked in thetop 85 nationally in singles. Florida is coached by former State head coachAndy Jackson. He is assisted by former Bulldog Jeremy Bayon.
South Carolina is 17-6 overall and currently tied for fourth in the SECat 5-3. USC is paced by 41st-ranked Tom Eklund, last week's SEC Player ofthe Week. The Gamecocks went 2-0 last weekend, upsetting then-No. 7 Georgiaand No. 17 Tennessee, both in Columbia. They also downed No. 24 ClemsonWednesday at home.
"We have two more really big challenges ahead of us this week," MSU headcoach Sylvain Guichard said. "Needless to say, Florida and South Carolinaboth have excellent teams. We need all of our fans to come out and supportus in these two very, very important matches during Super Bulldog Weekend."
Following this weekend's competition, MSU stays at home to close out theregular season next Saturday, April 16, hosting arch-rival Mississippi at 1p.m.