Friday, March 26
Evanston, IL
6:30 P.M. ET
Michigan State University
at
Northwestern
Spartans Set to Take on Two Ranked Opponents on the Road This Weekend
3/25/2021 9:59:00 AM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State men's tennis team will face two ranked opponents on the road this weekend as it looks to extend its two-match winning streak from last weekend with victories at Nebraska and No. 48 Iowa.
The Spartans (4-6, 4-4 Big Ten) will face No. 41 Northwestern (7-4, 6-3) on Friday, March 26 in Evanston, Illinois, at 6:30 p.m. ET, then will travel to Champaign to face No. 14 Illinois (10-2, 7-1) on Sunday, March 28 at 1 p.m. ET.
"We're really focused on keeping the same mindset this weekend," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "If we work hard every match and take care of our business, we'll be right there with an opportunity to win.
"It was a great week and it was nice for everyone to reach out and say congrats, but now it's time to get the next weekend. It's all part of the process and shows signs of this program growing. We need to keep that mentality going and keep the momentum from last week into these matches against two good teams at Northwestern and Illinois."
Michigan State's top doubles team, Kazuki Matsuno and Nick Williams, have won five consecutive matches in Big Ten play and entered the ITA national rankings this week at No. 38.
In addition, Williams was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for his 4-0 record last weekend. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native went undefeated (4-0) in singles and doubles in Michigan State's wins over Nebraska and No. 48 Iowa. Williams helped the Spartans to a victory against the Huskers on March 19 as he defeated Brandon Perez (6-4, 6-2) at No. 2 singles, and also teamed up at No. 1 doubles with his partner, Matsuno, to claim a 7-6 (7-5) victory against Perez and Victor Moreno Lozano.
On March 21, Williams clinched the dual win over No. 48 Iowa with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 win over Will Davies at No. 3 singles and also topped No. 17 Davies/Oliver Okonkwo 6-4 with partner Matsuno at No. 1 doubles.
Williams became the first Spartan to win Big Ten Men's Tennis Player of the Week honors since Brett Forman on April 3, 2018.
Live stats and video from the Northwestern match will be available at nusports.com, and Sunday's match will be available at fightingillini.com.
Michigan State returns home April 3-4 to take on Purdue (Saturday) and Indiana (Sunday).
The Spartans (4-6, 4-4 Big Ten) will face No. 41 Northwestern (7-4, 6-3) on Friday, March 26 in Evanston, Illinois, at 6:30 p.m. ET, then will travel to Champaign to face No. 14 Illinois (10-2, 7-1) on Sunday, March 28 at 1 p.m. ET.
"We're really focused on keeping the same mindset this weekend," said MSU men's tennis head coach Gene Orlando. "If we work hard every match and take care of our business, we'll be right there with an opportunity to win.
"It was a great week and it was nice for everyone to reach out and say congrats, but now it's time to get the next weekend. It's all part of the process and shows signs of this program growing. We need to keep that mentality going and keep the momentum from last week into these matches against two good teams at Northwestern and Illinois."
Michigan State's top doubles team, Kazuki Matsuno and Nick Williams, have won five consecutive matches in Big Ten play and entered the ITA national rankings this week at No. 38.
In addition, Williams was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for his 4-0 record last weekend. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native went undefeated (4-0) in singles and doubles in Michigan State's wins over Nebraska and No. 48 Iowa. Williams helped the Spartans to a victory against the Huskers on March 19 as he defeated Brandon Perez (6-4, 6-2) at No. 2 singles, and also teamed up at No. 1 doubles with his partner, Matsuno, to claim a 7-6 (7-5) victory against Perez and Victor Moreno Lozano.
On March 21, Williams clinched the dual win over No. 48 Iowa with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 win over Will Davies at No. 3 singles and also topped No. 17 Davies/Oliver Okonkwo 6-4 with partner Matsuno at No. 1 doubles.
Williams became the first Spartan to win Big Ten Men's Tennis Player of the Week honors since Brett Forman on April 3, 2018.
Live stats and video from the Northwestern match will be available at nusports.com, and Sunday's match will be available at fightingillini.com.
Michigan State returns home April 3-4 to take on Purdue (Saturday) and Indiana (Sunday).
Players Mentioned
A Mental Journey | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, January 23
Harry Jadun | Men's Tennis Press Conference | Jan. 14 2025
Tuesday, January 14
Ozan's Historic Run | Spartans All-Access
Wednesday, November 27
Harry Jadun | Men's Tennis Press Conference | Nov. 18 2024
Monday, November 18