Spartans Take Down No. 3 Seed In NCAAs

May 21, 2015

WACO, Texas - Under cloudy skies at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center, not everything was sunny.

Unless you're Harry Jadun and John Patrick Mullane of Michigan State, who knocked off the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Division I Doubles Championships.

"The guys played well and they played within themselves," head coach Gene Orlando said. "They played their game."

It was only the sixth loss of the season for Luca Corinteli and Ryan Shane, who were ranked No. 2 in the last ITA Rankings and just captured the team national championship with their Virginia Cavaliers on Tuesday.

"Halfway through the match, JP (Mullane) turned to me and said, `hey, this is fun'," Jadun said. "That's what we're all about - just enjoying the moment and having fun."

Jadun and Mullane (17-5, 7-1) came into the match ranked No. 18 in the country, and riding a five-match winning streak. That mark now extends to six, and they earned their eighth win over a ranked opponent, and second win against the top 10.

"We have worked so hard to get here and put in so many hours," Mullane said. "So far it's paid off, and we're enjoying every minute of it."

The Spartans started strong, winning the first set 6-1. Corinteli and Shane battled back to win the second set, 7-6 (7-4), but Jadun and Mullane wouldn't be denied, taking the third set 7-5.

"Great players have always been able to kick it up to another level," Orlando said. "(Corinteli and Shane) were able to do that in the second set, and our guys did it in the third."

A second round match up against South Florida's No 28 Oliver Pramming and Justin Roberts awaits Jadun and Mullane tomorrow at noon.

"Everyone is so good at this level, we can't get caught up (in the rankings)," Mullane said. "We just have to take each match one at a time."

For more information on the NCAA Championships, visit: http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/w-tennis/2015ncaa.html