Bulldog Netters Meet #13 Rebels On The Road In Regular Season Finale
The Bulldogs enter the match with a 4-12 overall record and are 1-9 inSoutheastern Conference play. State has lost six consecutive matches withfour coming against top-20 teams. The Bulldogs are led by 81st-ranked IvanBjelica and 97th-ranked Pierre Mouillon. Mouillon leads the team in overallwins, dual match wins and SEC wins. The Le Perreux, France product is 18-12overall this season including a 10-5 mark in dual match play. Bjelica is16-15 overall this season. Bjelica is 4-6 in the SEC, including a win over13th-ranked Adrians Zguns of Arkansas.
"This match will be a big challenge for us," said MSU head coach SylvainGuichard. "Ole Miss is one of the top teams in the league and we will haveto play exceptional tennis to have a chance to win."
The Rebels are 17-4 overall this season, including a 7-3 mark in theconference. UM is led by 17th-ranked Erling Tveit and 27th-ranked juniorEric Claesson. Tveit is 27-6 this season, including a 7-3 mark in leagueplay. Claesson is 33-10 overall and 14-4 in dual matches. Tveit andClaesson are ranked eighth nationally in doubles and have compiled a 16-7record this season.
In a series which began in 1907, Missisippi holds a slight 47-46 edge.The Rebels have won the last 16 meetings dating back to the 1999 season. Inthe matchup earlier this season in the River Hills Cup, UM won a 4-0decision.
After Saturday's match, both teams will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. tocompete in the 2006 SEC Championship. First round action begins Thursday(April 20) at 10 a.m.