State Netters Open SEC Home Action This Weekend
The Bulldogs are 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the SEC this season. Statedropped a pair of SEC matches on the road last weekend. MSU fell to SouthCarolina 5-2 and dropped a 6-1 decision to seventh-ranked Florida. TheBulldogs are led by junior Ivan Bjelica who is 12-9 on the season andsophomore Pierre Mouillon who holds a 12-8 record. Mouillon has wonthree-straight matches and is 2-0 in SEC play.
Auburn enters the weekend with a 7-3 overall record and are 1-1 inconference play. The Tigers dropped their opening match to Kentucky butknocked off Vanderblit to even their record on the first weekend ofconference action. Auburn is led by senior Nick Lane who is 9-1 this season.The meeting Friday will mark the 35th meeting between the two programs.State and Auburn have split the previous meetings with both teams holding 17victories a piece.
Alabama comes into this weekend's action witha 4-4 overall recordincluding a 1-1 mark in the SEC. Alabama is led by junior Josheph Jung whois 12-8 overall this season. The Tide will battle Mississippi on Friday toopen its weekend action before traveling to Starkville on Sunday.
"This weekend will be a test for our guys," said MSU head coach SylvainGuichard. "These two matches are critical for our success this year and wewill need to be at the top of our game to win either one."
Next week, the Bulldogs will take a break from conference play and headto Montgomery, Ala. for the Blue/Gray National Collegiate Classic which willtake place March 16-19.