Bobcat Netmen Close Home Season With Win

Saturday, April 17

Bozeman, MT

3 pm

Montana State University

Eastern Washington

Pawel Turzanski earned singles and doubles victories against Eastern Washington

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

4/17/2010 8:58:41 PM | Men's Tennis

MSU toppled Eastern Washington in Bozeman on Saturday

By: Bill Lamberty

Montana State's men's tennis squad is saving the best for last, but the good came with bad news on Saturday.

The Bobcats extended their home court winning streak to three by defeating Eastern Washington 4-3 in Bozeman, but MSU was eliminated from the four-team Big Sky Conference tournament. Still, Montana State coach Mike Phillips saw a lot to like in the Bobcat Tennis Center Saturday.

“Eastern Washington won the conference two years ago and played in the finals last year,” he said. “They took us out of the tournament the last two years. So, this is a great turning point for us. I'm really happy we were able to swing this in our favor today.”

After winning the doubles point, MSU took control of the final home match in the careers of three Bobcat seniors with singles victories by three underclassmen. Pawel Turzanski (6-3, 7-5 over Nico Riego de Dios) won the no. one singles match while Alberto Fuentes (6-4, 7-5 over Julian Sanchez) won at no. four singles. Fletcher Keyes then sealed MSU's win with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Stefan Simikic.

“It's nice to see the guys that are returning play well,” Phillips said. “They are very mature, they're great leaders, and it will be a big boost to have them playing next year.”

MSU plays its final match of the season at Montana on Sunday. The Bobcats beat the Grizzlies 4-3 in Bozeman on March 7, and Phillips lauded his team for continuing to improve through what has been a difficult season. “Our guys have massively improved the last two months. It's bittersweet not to make the conference tournament, but they finished strong.”

Phillips also lauded the play of his senior class – Esteban Ferrero, Myles Perkins, and Corey Smith, along with graduate student Joey Staszcuk. “Those guys never gave up, never quit competing,” Phillips said. “They were a huge part of the strides we've taken the last couple of months.

Montana State enters Sunday's match 7-15 overall, 3-4 in Big Sky play.

Montana State 4, Eastern Washington 3

SINGLES

1. Pawel Turzanski (MSU) def. Nico Riego de Dios (EWU) 6-3, 7-5

2. Fletcher Keyes (MSU) def. Stefan Simikic (EWU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

3. Fernando Mussolini (EWU) def. Corey Smith (MSU), 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

4. Alberto Fuentes (MSU) def. Julian Sanchez (EWU) 6-4, 7-5

5. Chad Henninger (EWU) def. Esteban Ferrero (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-7

6. Kyle Koetje (EWU) def. Joey Staszcuk (MSU) 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES

1. Alberto Fuentes/Fletcher Keyes (MSU) def. Nico Riego de Rios/Chad Henninger (EWU) 8-1

2. Corey Smith/Pawel Turzanski (MSU) def. Julian Sanchez/Fernando Mussolini (EWU) 8-7