Thursday, April 18
2 pm
Montana State University
4
vs
3
Montana
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Hometown Freshman Marcos Zelver Seals Bobcat Win Over Grizzlies
4/18/2019 8:32:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Win boosts men's tennis team into position to seal tourney berth Friday
BOZEMAN, Montana – Marcos Zelver knows.
The Montana State freshman, who grew up in Bozeman, knows as well as anyone the importance of the Cat-Griz rivalry. He knows that Montana State hasn't beaten Montana in men's tennis in several seasons. And he knew heading into Thursday's crucial Big Sky showdown in Bozeman that the whole thing might come down to his match at No. 6 singles.
"Even when I was a little kid, as long as I can remember, I've known Cat-Griz is a huge deal," he said. "This whole week I was so excited, and also a little nervous. I know how much it means to both schools and also I knew there was a good chance it might come down to my match."
When Zelver toed the baseline to deliver his decisive serve, the match did ride on him, as MSU needed one more singles victory and teammate Joaquin Espinoza trailed on the third court. And Zelver delivered, winning the point after Pontus Hallgren's return of serve delivered Montana State a 4-3 win raising the Bobcats' record to 5-4 in the Big Sky and putting the team in position to seal a league tourney berth against Southern Utah on Friday.
Montana State started hot, with Alex Flink and Drew Brown cruising to a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles. The Grizzlies won at No. 3, but Joaquin Espinoza and Creel Smith held on for a hard-fought 6-4 win at No. 2 to give MSU the doubles point. "Doubles was huge," Burnham said. "That's what I thought, that whoever won the doubles point would probably win the match. Al and Drew have really played great the last six matches, and Al especially at No. 1"
Singles play started well for the Bobcats. Flink cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win at the top ladder spot to give the Cats a 2-0 lead in the match, but UM responded by winning at No. 5 and No. 4 to tie the match 2-2. In quick order MSU's Drew Brown won a 7-6, 6-2 decision over UM's Ludvig Hallgren at No. 2 singles to set up Zelver's heroics.
Zelver found himself in comeback mode early in his match. "I was down a break in the first set and I knew it would be tough to climb back into it, but I battled as hard as I could and fought my way back into it." After winning the first set 6-4, Zelver built a 5-2 lead in the second set. "I knew he wouldn't go away," Zelver said of his Hallgren, who drew within 5-4. Zelver then served out for the win.
We got off to good leads. It kind of goes back to doubles, getting some momentum. Coming out with three first sets (won) in singles was huge. Marcos missed a couple calls, he was tight, as he should be, but he was cool as a cucumber."
When Zelver earned the win, he raised his arms and was mobbed by his jubilant, victorious teammates. "A weight was lifted off my shoulders," he said. "It felt so good, to win for my coach and my team, it was amazing."
Burnham felt similar emotions. "Watching Marcos' reaction, and the team's, was great," he said. "It's a big win and a great feeling."
The work continues for the Bobcats on Friday morning when second place Southern Utah visits Bozeman. The match begins at 10 am at either the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center or the adjacent MSU Outdoor Tennis Complex.
Tennis Match Results
Montana vs Montana State
4/18/2019 at Bozeman, Mont.
(Anderson-Bobcat Tennis Center)
Montana State 4, Montana 3
Singles competition
1. FLINK, Alexander (MSU) def. CANELLOPOULOS, Alex (UM) 6-1, 6-2
2. BROWN, Drew (MSU) def. HALLGREN, Ludvig (UM) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. KORKH, Max (UM) def. ESPINOZA, Joaquin (MSU) 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
4. PUDNEY, Ed (UM) def. DAMGAARD QVIST, C. (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. SHAFFREY, Oisin (UM) def. SMITH, Creel (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. ZELVER, Marcos (MSU) def. HALLGREN, Pontus (UM) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. FLINK, Alexander/BROWN, Drew (MSU) def. KORKH, Max/PUDNEY, Ed (UM) 6-1
2. ESPINOZA, Joaquin/SMITH, Creel (MSU) def. CANELLOPOULOS, Alex/HALLGREN, Ludvig (UM) 6-4
3. HALLGREN, Pontus/SHAFFREY, Oisin (UM) def. DAMGAARD QVIST, C./WOOD, Grant (MSU) 6-4
Match Notes:
Montana 7-13 (4-5 BSC)
Montana State 6-11 (5-4 BSC)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,5,4,2,6,3)
T-2:15
#GoCatsGo
The Montana State freshman, who grew up in Bozeman, knows as well as anyone the importance of the Cat-Griz rivalry. He knows that Montana State hasn't beaten Montana in men's tennis in several seasons. And he knew heading into Thursday's crucial Big Sky showdown in Bozeman that the whole thing might come down to his match at No. 6 singles.
"Even when I was a little kid, as long as I can remember, I've known Cat-Griz is a huge deal," he said. "This whole week I was so excited, and also a little nervous. I know how much it means to both schools and also I knew there was a good chance it might come down to my match."
When Zelver toed the baseline to deliver his decisive serve, the match did ride on him, as MSU needed one more singles victory and teammate Joaquin Espinoza trailed on the third court. And Zelver delivered, winning the point after Pontus Hallgren's return of serve delivered Montana State a 4-3 win raising the Bobcats' record to 5-4 in the Big Sky and putting the team in position to seal a league tourney berth against Southern Utah on Friday.
Montana State started hot, with Alex Flink and Drew Brown cruising to a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles. The Grizzlies won at No. 3, but Joaquin Espinoza and Creel Smith held on for a hard-fought 6-4 win at No. 2 to give MSU the doubles point. "Doubles was huge," Burnham said. "That's what I thought, that whoever won the doubles point would probably win the match. Al and Drew have really played great the last six matches, and Al especially at No. 1"
Singles play started well for the Bobcats. Flink cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win at the top ladder spot to give the Cats a 2-0 lead in the match, but UM responded by winning at No. 5 and No. 4 to tie the match 2-2. In quick order MSU's Drew Brown won a 7-6, 6-2 decision over UM's Ludvig Hallgren at No. 2 singles to set up Zelver's heroics.
Zelver found himself in comeback mode early in his match. "I was down a break in the first set and I knew it would be tough to climb back into it, but I battled as hard as I could and fought my way back into it." After winning the first set 6-4, Zelver built a 5-2 lead in the second set. "I knew he wouldn't go away," Zelver said of his Hallgren, who drew within 5-4. Zelver then served out for the win.
We got off to good leads. It kind of goes back to doubles, getting some momentum. Coming out with three first sets (won) in singles was huge. Marcos missed a couple calls, he was tight, as he should be, but he was cool as a cucumber."
When Zelver earned the win, he raised his arms and was mobbed by his jubilant, victorious teammates. "A weight was lifted off my shoulders," he said. "It felt so good, to win for my coach and my team, it was amazing."
Burnham felt similar emotions. "Watching Marcos' reaction, and the team's, was great," he said. "It's a big win and a great feeling."
The work continues for the Bobcats on Friday morning when second place Southern Utah visits Bozeman. The match begins at 10 am at either the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center or the adjacent MSU Outdoor Tennis Complex.
Tennis Match Results
Montana vs Montana State
4/18/2019 at Bozeman, Mont.
(Anderson-Bobcat Tennis Center)
Montana State 4, Montana 3
Singles competition
1. FLINK, Alexander (MSU) def. CANELLOPOULOS, Alex (UM) 6-1, 6-2
2. BROWN, Drew (MSU) def. HALLGREN, Ludvig (UM) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. KORKH, Max (UM) def. ESPINOZA, Joaquin (MSU) 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
4. PUDNEY, Ed (UM) def. DAMGAARD QVIST, C. (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. SHAFFREY, Oisin (UM) def. SMITH, Creel (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. ZELVER, Marcos (MSU) def. HALLGREN, Pontus (UM) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. FLINK, Alexander/BROWN, Drew (MSU) def. KORKH, Max/PUDNEY, Ed (UM) 6-1
2. ESPINOZA, Joaquin/SMITH, Creel (MSU) def. CANELLOPOULOS, Alex/HALLGREN, Ludvig (UM) 6-4
3. HALLGREN, Pontus/SHAFFREY, Oisin (UM) def. DAMGAARD QVIST, C./WOOD, Grant (MSU) 6-4
Match Notes:
Montana 7-13 (4-5 BSC)
Montana State 6-11 (5-4 BSC)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,5,4,2,6,3)
T-2:15
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
1
KORKH, Max/ PUDNEY, Ed [UM]
1
6
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3,2
#1 Singles Match
12
CANELLOPOULOS, Alex / 0 [UM]
13
66
#2 Singles Match
12
HALLGREN, Ludvig / 0 [UM]
62
76
#3 Singles Match
12
KORKH, Max / 0 [UM]
77
65
#4 Singles Match
12
PUDNEY, Ed / 0 [UM]
66
42
#5 Singles Match
12
SHAFFREY, Oisin / 0 [UM]
66
43
#6 Singles Match
12
HALLGREN, Pontus / 0 [UM]
44
66
Order of Finish:
1,5,4,2,6,3
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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