2004-06 Men's Tennis (Teams) (2017) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

2004-06 Men's Tennis (Teams)

Induction:
2017

   Dynasty in sports’ vernacular isn’t used lightly.
   But for the Montana State men’s tennis teams in the mid-2000s it was a term that fittingly described its Big Sky Conference dominance.
   From 2004-06 the Bobcats captured three Big Sky titles, dropped only one match in league play, and registered a school-record 25-match win streak in Big Sky action. MSU made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Championships, facing USC, Texas A&M and Pepperdine, respectively.
   And, in retrospect, it was just one road-trip that set the course for Bobcat supremacy.
   “One defining moment for the team was the brutal 2004 spring break trip,” said then head coach Mike Phillips. “We covered five states and topped it off with an 18-hour drive home. At the end of the trip there were just three words on the office wall the following week… “We are a Team.”
   “After that trip the team lost one conference match in three years,” Phillips added. “Braden Olson clinched the 2004 BSC championship in a close 4-3 match against Idaho State, and the team didn’t lose a match in the conference tournament for the next two years.”
   Six different players earned All-Big Sky recognition led by three-time league MVP and four-time first-team all-conference standout Federico Ueltschi. Also earning First-Team All-Big Sky honors on four occasions was Marek Gebicki. Tej Chigateri was a first-team selection, a two-time second-team pick and an honorable mention choice during his tenure in the Blue and Gold. Also garnering Big Sky accolades were Justin Hauck, Kyle McDonald and Braden Olson.
   The 2005 team earned MSU’s highest ITA ranking at No. 68 following its 4-3 upset victory over No. 38 SMU.
   “When these teams peaked there was magic in the air,” Phillips stated. “They were the epitome of what one would expect in championship teams. They were enthusiastic, hard-working and determined. They loved to compete, but more importantly, I know they loved the game and they loved each other as a team.
   “I think the intangible qualities that helped them succeed to become such good teams were maturity,” Phillips commented. “These teams was so respectful, grateful, and coachable.”