Saturday, March 12
9 am
Montana State University
vs
Idaho
Kellen Bates
Photo by: Brooks Nuanez
Bobcat Netmen Host Idaho, North Dakota on Saturday
3/11/2016 10:47:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Action begins at 9 am in Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center
It's March, but Montana State's men's tennis team hits a crucial day Saturday when a pair of teams trending upward visit the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
The Bobcats host defending Big Sky Champion Idaho at 9 am. An improving North Dakota is next up for MSU at 2 pm. Given the opponents involved and the point in the season, MSU coach Jared Burnham says it's a big weekend for his youthful squad.
"We've had some good time in practice," Burnham said, "and I like how hard the guys are working. The attitude is good. Every conference match is important."
Idaho is first up on Saturday, and the defending conference champions have roared out of the gates in 2016. The Vandals ride a three-match win streak into Bozeman and stand 8-2 overall, 3-1 in Big Sky play. UI dropped a 4-3 decision at Northern Colorado, but owns wins over North Dakota, NAU, and Southern Utah. Seniors Odon Barta, the team's No. 1 singles player, and Jackson Varney lead the way.
"Idaho is the defending league champion with pretty much the same team as last year," Burnham said. "They have some experience and are a very good team."
The Fighting Hawks enter Saturday with a 2-10 mark overall, 0-6 in the league. UND has lost league matches to Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho and Portland State. The team is paced by the senior trio of David Bergstrom, Joe Lee and Eshan Varma.
"I don't know a lot about North Dakota," Burnham said, "but they are getting better and better every year. It's an improving program."
Nearing the mid-point of the season, Burnham said his team continues to fine-tune. "We've worked on making more balls," he said, "getting more balls in play. It's a mindset, we don't have to terminate on difficult balls. We've served much better in practice, and hopefully that translates to matches."
After Saturday's matches the Bobcats head west for spring break contests at Seattle (March 16) and Gonzaga (March 18).
The Bobcats host defending Big Sky Champion Idaho at 9 am. An improving North Dakota is next up for MSU at 2 pm. Given the opponents involved and the point in the season, MSU coach Jared Burnham says it's a big weekend for his youthful squad.
"We've had some good time in practice," Burnham said, "and I like how hard the guys are working. The attitude is good. Every conference match is important."
Idaho is first up on Saturday, and the defending conference champions have roared out of the gates in 2016. The Vandals ride a three-match win streak into Bozeman and stand 8-2 overall, 3-1 in Big Sky play. UI dropped a 4-3 decision at Northern Colorado, but owns wins over North Dakota, NAU, and Southern Utah. Seniors Odon Barta, the team's No. 1 singles player, and Jackson Varney lead the way.
"Idaho is the defending league champion with pretty much the same team as last year," Burnham said. "They have some experience and are a very good team."
The Fighting Hawks enter Saturday with a 2-10 mark overall, 0-6 in the league. UND has lost league matches to Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho and Portland State. The team is paced by the senior trio of David Bergstrom, Joe Lee and Eshan Varma.
"I don't know a lot about North Dakota," Burnham said, "but they are getting better and better every year. It's an improving program."
Nearing the mid-point of the season, Burnham said his team continues to fine-tune. "We've worked on making more balls," he said, "getting more balls in play. It's a mindset, we don't have to terminate on difficult balls. We've served much better in practice, and hopefully that translates to matches."
After Saturday's matches the Bobcats head west for spring break contests at Seattle (March 16) and Gonzaga (March 18).
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