
Michigan State Sweeps Western Illinois and Valparaiso
1/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 31, 2009
Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts
Nate Emge
John Allare
Highlights from the match against Western Illinois
EAST LANSING, Mich. -Michigan State dominated competition against Western Illinois and Valparaiso Saturday, Jan. 31 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facilities. The matches increased the Spartans win streak to six at home, a feat last accomplished in 2003 when the team won eight straight to begin the season.
The Spartans started the day against Western Illinois picking up the doubles point with the No. 1 doubles team of John Stratton and Austin Brooks winning 8-2. Jason Norville and John Allare picked up a win recording an 8-4 win while Alex Forger and Clark Richardson won in dominating fashion, 8-1.
MSU didn't give up a match to the Leathernecks in singles play with all six positions recording wins. Playing at No. 1 singles, Forger defeated Zach Frisch 6-2, 7-6(6), while No. 2 Allare posted an impressive record over Neil Lesinski, 6-1, 6-1. Brooks impressed with a win of 6-2, 6-0 over Fransisco Oritiz at the No. 3 position and Rasmussen held on to post a win over Sean Ragee-Nelson in a tie-braking set, 6-7(2), 6-3, 10-4 at No. 4 singles.
MSU took on Valpo at 4 p.m. winning the doubles point to begin the match. Forger and Richardson went against Kevin DeHerrera and Adam Whitmer recording an 8-1 victory. The duo is now 4-0 so far this season.
In singles, Allare picked up a win over Alex Lay at the No. 1 position, recording a 6-1, 6-0 win while Rasmussen played at No. 2 defeating Tommy Litscher 6-3, 6-0. Again, MSU won all singles points against Valpo, marking the third-straight match the Spartans have done so.
Michigan State will play their seventh-straight match at home against Toledo next Saturday, Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. The Spartans look to improve their winning streak to seven straight wins in a row.
Western Illinois
Doubles
John Stratton/Austin Brooks def. Zach Frisch/Fransisco Ortiz: 8-2
Jason Norville/John Allare def. Sean Ragee-Nelson/Michael Schild: 8-4
Alex Forger/Clark Richardson def. Neil Lesinski/Rodrigo Azevedo: 8-1
Singles
Alex Forger def. Zach Frisch: 6-2, 7-6(6)
John Allare def. Neil Lesinski: 6-1, 6-1
Austin Brooks def. Fransisco Ortiz: 6-2, 6-0
Scott Rasmussen def. Sean Ragee-Nelson: 6-7 (2), 6-3, (10-4)
Jason Norville def. Andy Jones: 6-2, 6-2
John Stratton def. Rodrigo Azevedo: 6-3, 6-1
Valparaiso
Doubles
Lay/Litscher def. Austin Brooks/John Stratton: 8-5
Alex Forger/Clark Richardson def. DeHerrerera/Whitmer: 8-1
Brendan Kinkopf/Scott Rasmussen def. Stump/Fortune: 8-3
Singles
John Allare def. Alex Lay: 6-1, 6-0
Scott Rasmussen def. Tommy Litscher: 6-3, 6-0
Ron Hulewicz def. Phidias Fortune: 6-1, 6-3
Jason Norville def. Kevin DeHerrera: 6-4, 6-2
Clark Richardson def. Adam Whitmer: 6-2, 6-2
Brendan Kinkopf def. Kyle Stump: 6-3, 6-0