Michigan State University
Big Ten Indoor Championships
Freshman Dazzles Opponents At Big Ten Men's Tennis Championships
11/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Nov. 12, 2001
EAST LANSING, MICH. - Although Minnesota and Illinois were left to compete in the main draw, all of the attention at MSU's Indoor Tennis Facility Monday was focused on Andrew Formanczyk. One of three talented freshmen for the Spartans, Formanczyk took no time in capturing the Big Ten singles consolation title.
After winning three matches Sunday, Formanczyk (Rochester Hills, Mich.) did not show any signs of exhaustion on the final day of competition. Facing Ohio State's precision hitting Vince Ng in the semifinals, he only gave up a total of three games to advance, 6-2, 6-1. With only one match left for Formanczyk, the freshman continued his domination on the courts by cruising past Northwestern's Jamie Sahara, 6-1, 6-3. He finished the tournament with a 6-1 record.
"It was really a downer when I lost my main draw match and my confidence level dropped," said Andrew Formanczyk. "But after the first set of my first consolation match I found my confidence. I played some of the best tennis of my life the past two days."
The first-year Spartan is the first student-athlete to win the Big Ten consolation round since Kevin Seckel in 1991. He had to overcome health problems to get ready for his first taste of Big Ten college tennis.
"I had mono and a muscle tear in my lower stomach earlier this year," described Formanczyk. "When I got rid of those problems, I used that as motivation to come out and play well the last two tournaments."
Head coach Gene Orlando was very impressed with Formanczyk's play, including his main draw first round win over second seed Milan Rakvica of Indiana. Although he lost in the second round, he won his next five matches on his way to the consolation title.
"Andy had a gut check in the first round of the backdraw," said Orlando, "but he was able to pull it out and kept getting better each match. He really stepped up and proved himself to be one of our top players."
Michigan State will now have over two months to prepare for the spring season. Six home dates including three doubleheaders await the Spartans beginning January 19 when Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wright State venture into East Lansing. Their first away match will be in South Bend, Ind., against Notre Dame.
Monday's Big Ten Men's Singles ResultsMain Draw-Consolation Semifinals:Andrew Formanczyk (MSU) def. #13 Vince Ng (OSU) 6-2, 6-1
Main Draw-Consolation Finals:Andrew Formanczyk (MSU) def. Jamie Sahara (NW) 6-1, 6-3
Final Records for the Big Ten Indoor Singles Championships:Josh Efros 1-2Andrew Formanczyk 6-1Mike Hodge 0-2Adam Hourani 0-2Mike Jonckheere 1-1Cameron Marshall 1-2Jimmy McGuire 1-2Chris Mitchell 2-2Anthony Stefani 2-2Goran Topalo 2-2
