State Netmen To Host South Carolina To Open SEC Slate
Mississippi State enters Friday's action with a 3-3 record this season, including a 2-0 mark at home. State is currently led by junior Ivan Bjelica and junior Philippe Frayssinoux. Bjelica, ranked 38th nationally, is 15-9 this season and has won two straight singles matches. Frayssinoux is 15-8 this season, including a 2-1 mark at #2 singles. Sophomore Ryan Farlow is 3-1 this season in dual matches while freshman Chris Doerr is 3-0 in dual match play and has won four straight matches.
South Carolina, led by head coach Kent Demars, enters Friday's match with a 7-3 record this season. The Gamecocks are coming off a recent win over Georgia Tech after winning six straight to open the season. The Gamecocks are led this season by junior Yevgeny Supeko and seniors Jaime Cuellar and Pedro Rodrigues. Supeko, ranked 58th nationally, is 18-4 this season and has won 12 straight. Cuellar is 2-1 this spring while Rodrigues is 5-4 this season. The Gamecocks are coming off a 2006 campaign, in which they made their 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
In the overall series dating back to 1992, Mississippi State holds a 12-6 advantage, including a 5-2 mark in Starkville. South Carolina has won six straight in the series, including last year's 5-2 win in Columbia.
Following Friday's match, the Bulldogs will conclude its homestand, hosting the 13th-ranked Flordia Gators on Sunday. Match time is set for 1 p.m. at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.