Montana State University
Montana
Bobcat Men's Tennis Team Begins Crucial Closing Weekend Hosting UM on Thursday
4/17/2019 8:47:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MSU, Grizzlies get together in Bozeman on Thursday at 2 pm
BOZEMAN, Montana – It all comes down to this.
The Montana State men's tennis team enters the final weekend of the Big Sky Conference season with control of its own destiny. One of five teams battling for three remaining Big Sky Tournament spots, MSU hosts Montana on Thursday at 2 pm and Southern Utah on Friday at 10 am. The Cats, Montana and Portland State each stand 4-4 entering weekend play, while Idaho State is 5-4 and Northern Colorado is 3-6.
MSU coach Jared Burnham's take on the make-or-break weekend has remained the same since his team swept Idaho and Eastern Washington on the road last weekend. "This will be lots of fun."
Burnham has kept himself from standings- and scoreboard-watching as the team progressed toward this point, but that's no longer possible. "There are a lot of scenarios (regarding teams qualifying for the tournament) and a lot on the line," he said of the weekend. "The best thing is that we control our own destiny. That's a good feeling."
The Bobcats have won three of their last four matches to give the team the opportunity to win its way into the post-season. While Montana is tied with the Cats at 4-4 in league play, Southern Utah is second in the league at 6-2. UM hosts the Thunderbirds on Saturday. Portland State, the third team that enters weekend play at 4-4, plays at Idaho State (5-4) Friday and Weber State (2-7) Saturday.
Strong individual plays has fired Montana State's recent surge, with Joaquin Espinoza leading the way. The sophomore has won six straight matches at No. 3 singles, including nine straight sets. Four of those last six set wins have come in tie-breaker fashion. Espinoza is not the only Bobcat playing well. Freshman Christian Damgaard Qvist has won three of his last five matches at No. 4, while senior Creel Smith and freshman Marcos Zelver have each won two of their last four.
Burnham is pleased with how the bottom four spots of MSU's lineup has played. "Marcos has really figured a lot of things out," Burnham said. "Playing matches, getting experience, is the big thing. All of those guys (at the bottom of the order) are playing well."
MSU's veteran coach is quick to credit the top of the team's ladder, as well. "Alex (Flink, a senior at No. 1 singles) has really played well," Burnham said. "He's been steady. When you play No. 1 there are no easy matches and his record may not be flashy, but he is solid every time out. Drew Brown (a junior at No. 2 singles) has had some good moments, too."
The youthful Grizzlies are led by freshman Oisin Shaffrey, who is 5-1 in Big Sky play at No. 5 singles, and junior Max Korkh, 5-1 at No. 3. Junior Ludvig Hallgren is 4-2 at No. 2. Senior Alex Canellopoulos is 7-11 in all matches at No. 1 singles.
Two wins gets the Bobcats into the six-team Big Sky Tournament, while a win Thursday puts the team in good position. A loss to UM leaves the Bobcats vulnerable. The tournament begins April 25 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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