Montana State University
IDAHO STATE
Bobcats, ISU Battle for Share of Big Sky Crown on Sunday
4/20/2013 9:48:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MSU looks to cap incredible turnaround on Sunday
Montana State's men's tennis team attempts to cap one of the stunning turnarounds in school history on Sunday, when the Bobcats host Idaho State in a match to crown a Big Sky Conference Champion. Match time is 9 am in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
The winner of the contest between squads with identical 8-1 league records joins Sacramento State, the leader in the clubhouse with a 9-1 mark, as Big Sky co-champs. The Bobcats boosted themselves into talk of a title with last Sunday's win over Montana, while the Grizzlies bounced back Saturday to hand ISU its first league loss of 2013.
“Idaho State is a very good team, and they'll be very motivated on Sunday,” said first-year MSU coach Jared Burnham. “I think our guys will be ready to play, too. I expect a very competitive, close match.”
This week's Co-Big Sky Players of the Week square off at No. 2 singles in one of the day's most intriguing matchups. Idaho State's Charles Norman brings a 7-2 league mark into the match, while MSU's Javier Martin-Morillas stands 5-2. Montana State's Diego Campos currently holds a 7-1 mark at the No. 4 singles spot, the best mark in the league, while one spot lower ISU's Jamey Swiggart brings a perfect 8-0 mark into Sunday's match.
Saturday's loss notwithstanding, Burnham is impressed with Idaho State. “They're a very strong, talented team,” he said. “They've made great strides the past couple seasons. They have good players up and down the lineup.”
Montana State has clinched a spot in the Big Sky Tournament, which begins April 26 in Sacramento. MSU's women play ISU Sunday after the Bobcat men's match.
