Saturday, April 11
Pocatello, ID
10 am
Montana State University
7
at
0
Idaho State University
Harry James
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Men's Tennis Team Tops Idaho State in Non-League Dual
4/11/2015 10:40:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Harry James' return to singles lineup highlights win
If timing is everything, Jared Burnham's was impeccable.
Adding a non-conference match against Idaho State for Saturday just a few weeks ago filled a gap in the team's schedule, but Montana State's 7-0 win Saturday proved to be much more than that. The win kept the team rolling at the most important portion of its schedule, and it also reintroduced junior Harry James into the Bobcat lineup.
Montana State's regular No. 4 player played his first singles match in nearly a month after, showing the effects of a sprained ankle that has shelved him during the heart of MSU's Big Sky season but boosting the Bobcats in the process. "Harry is rusty and it showed," said Bobcat coach Jared Burnham. "But it was great to see him out there. He really strengthens our lineup."
James earned a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles on a day the Cats didn't drop a single set. Andre Napoliatano won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1, Javier Martin-Morillas won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2. Niklas Brandes (6-1, 6-3 at No. 3) and Kellen Bates (6-4, 6-3 at No. 4) each added singles wins, while Dylan Harvala received a forfeit win at No. 6.
"We played really well overall," Burnham said. "We stayed right on track."
Montana State finishes the regular season with a crucial contest Saturday, hosting Montana at 3 pm in a dual between teams that may be fighting for a Big Sky Championship – depending on the outcome of the Weber State-NAU match Sunday – but certainly will determine seeding in the league tournament.
Adding a non-conference match against Idaho State for Saturday just a few weeks ago filled a gap in the team's schedule, but Montana State's 7-0 win Saturday proved to be much more than that. The win kept the team rolling at the most important portion of its schedule, and it also reintroduced junior Harry James into the Bobcat lineup.
Montana State's regular No. 4 player played his first singles match in nearly a month after, showing the effects of a sprained ankle that has shelved him during the heart of MSU's Big Sky season but boosting the Bobcats in the process. "Harry is rusty and it showed," said Bobcat coach Jared Burnham. "But it was great to see him out there. He really strengthens our lineup."
James earned a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles on a day the Cats didn't drop a single set. Andre Napoliatano won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1, Javier Martin-Morillas won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2. Niklas Brandes (6-1, 6-3 at No. 3) and Kellen Bates (6-4, 6-3 at No. 4) each added singles wins, while Dylan Harvala received a forfeit win at No. 6.
"We played really well overall," Burnham said. "We stayed right on track."
Montana State finishes the regular season with a crucial contest Saturday, hosting Montana at 3 pm in a dual between teams that may be fighting for a Big Sky Championship – depending on the outcome of the Weber State-NAU match Sunday – but certainly will determine seeding in the league tournament.
Players Mentioned
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