Michigan State University
Illinois
Men's Tennis Falls To Illinois In Season Finale
4/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 19, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 2008-09 Michigan State men's tennis team concluded the dual season Sunday afternoon, dropping a 6-1 decision to No. 11 Illinois. Senior Alex Forger (Okemos, Mich.) picked up the Spartans only win at No. 2 singles.
The match began at the MSU Outdoor Tennis Courts, but was postponed shortly into doubles action when rain began to fall. Play was moved to the Indoor Tennis Facility shortly after.
Illinois swept all three doubles matches to pick up the point and take an early lead. The match between MSU's doubles tandem of freshman Austin Brooks (Houston, Texas) and junior Brendan Kinkopf (Cleveland, Ohio) and Meedo El Tabakh and Ruan Roelofse of Illinois went into a tie-breaker, but the Fighting Illini came out with the win, 8-7(5).
Forger picked up the lone win for the Green and White after defeating Marc Spicijaric at the No. 2 singles position. Forger was able to outlast Spicijaric, 6-4, 7-5, and was the last match to conclude.
Today's action marked the last dual match for the Spartans three seniors that will be graduating. Seniors John Allare (Masonville, Ohio), Scott Rasmussen (Moraga, Calif.) and Forger all closed out their careers for the Green and White.
Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Big Ten Championships. Play begins Thursday, April 23 and continues through Sunday, April 26. Opponent information and start time will be announced by the Big Ten Conference Monday afternoon.
Indiana- 6 MSU-1
Doubles
No. 49 Marek Czerwinski/Marc Spicijaric def. John Allare and Jason Norville: 8-4
Brian Livingston/Dennis Nevolo def. Alex Forger/John Stratton: 8-4
Meedo El Tabakh/Ruan Roelofse def. Austin Brooks/Brendan Kinkopf: 8-7 (5)
Singles
No. 48 Roy Kalmanovich def. John Allare: 6-1, 6-4
Alex Forger def. No. 68 Marc Spicijaric: 6-4, 7-5
Marek Czerwinski def. Scott Rasmussen: 6-3, 6-1
Abe Souza def. Ronnie Hulewicz: 6-4, 6-1
Brian Livingston def. Austin Brooks: 6-4, 6-1
Meedo El Tabakh def. John Stratton: 6-3, 6-2
Players Mentioned
