Kellen Bates
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Men's Tennis Hosts Crucial Conference Contests
4/7/2016 5:21:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MSU faces squads locked in fight for Big Sky Tourney berths
Montana State hits the home stretch of its 2016 men's tennis season this weekend, hosting a pair of matches likely to impact the squad's post-season hopes.
The Bobcats face Eastern Washington at 1 pm Friday and Northern Colorado at 9 am Saturday at the MSU Tennis Courts. All three teams involved stand somewhere from sixth (EWU, 4-3 in Big Sky play) to 10th (UNC, 3-5) in the Big Sky standings, with the top half-dozen finishers advancing to the league's post-season tournament. Montana State is 2-3.
"There are a lot of teams sort of bunched together in the middle of the standings and fighting for those last few spots in the tournament," said Bobcat coach Jared Burnham. "We're in that group, so are Eastern Washington and Northern Colorado. There is a lot left to be decided."
The veteran Eagles feature one senior and four juniors. Junior Robert Dula leads the squad with an 8-1 mark, all compiled at No. 1 singles. Senior Eduardo Bringold (9-12) has the most wins on the team, and is 6-6 at No. 2 singles. The Eagles hold league wins over UNC, North Dakota and Portland State, but a recent seven-match losing streak features only one conference contest – a 7-0 loss at Sacramento State.
"Eastern Washington is one of the teams we're fighting for a tournament spot," Burnham said. "They're a talented team, and like us they haven't played in a while."
The Cats face a Northern Colorado squad with three league wins, including an important banked against Idaho. The Bears have won two of their last three, including a road win at Southern Utah. "Northern Colorado beat Idaho at home and it looks like they are playing well lately," Burnham said. Junior Austin Mayo leads UNC with 9-8 mark, including a 7-6 record at No. 1. Senior Eric Schuermans is 7-11 overall, but 7-8 at No. 2.
The Bobcats haven't played in three weeks, which Burnham said has his team ready to roll. "They're itching to play," he said, "and based on how they've been practicing I really like how we're playing doubles right now. The intensity has been good. It's a long season and we're getting toward the end, but I like the attitude and how they're competing."
After this weekend's matches, the Cats finish with contests next weekend (Portland State at home on April 15, at Montana on April 17) and on the road the following weekend (at Southern Utah April 22, at NAU April 23).
The Bobcats face Eastern Washington at 1 pm Friday and Northern Colorado at 9 am Saturday at the MSU Tennis Courts. All three teams involved stand somewhere from sixth (EWU, 4-3 in Big Sky play) to 10th (UNC, 3-5) in the Big Sky standings, with the top half-dozen finishers advancing to the league's post-season tournament. Montana State is 2-3.
"There are a lot of teams sort of bunched together in the middle of the standings and fighting for those last few spots in the tournament," said Bobcat coach Jared Burnham. "We're in that group, so are Eastern Washington and Northern Colorado. There is a lot left to be decided."
The veteran Eagles feature one senior and four juniors. Junior Robert Dula leads the squad with an 8-1 mark, all compiled at No. 1 singles. Senior Eduardo Bringold (9-12) has the most wins on the team, and is 6-6 at No. 2 singles. The Eagles hold league wins over UNC, North Dakota and Portland State, but a recent seven-match losing streak features only one conference contest – a 7-0 loss at Sacramento State.
"Eastern Washington is one of the teams we're fighting for a tournament spot," Burnham said. "They're a talented team, and like us they haven't played in a while."
The Cats face a Northern Colorado squad with three league wins, including an important banked against Idaho. The Bears have won two of their last three, including a road win at Southern Utah. "Northern Colorado beat Idaho at home and it looks like they are playing well lately," Burnham said. Junior Austin Mayo leads UNC with 9-8 mark, including a 7-6 record at No. 1. Senior Eric Schuermans is 7-11 overall, but 7-8 at No. 2.
The Bobcats haven't played in three weeks, which Burnham said has his team ready to roll. "They're itching to play," he said, "and based on how they've been practicing I really like how we're playing doubles right now. The intensity has been good. It's a long season and we're getting toward the end, but I like the attitude and how they're competing."
After this weekend's matches, the Cats finish with contests next weekend (Portland State at home on April 15, at Montana on April 17) and on the road the following weekend (at Southern Utah April 22, at NAU April 23).
Thursday, February 13
Wednesday, April 05
Wednesday, April 17
Monday, March 25
