Photo by: Jack Murrey
Montana State Men's Tennis Team Opens 2022 at Home Against Air Force on Friday
1/13/2022 4:50:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Bobcats host regional power Air Force
BOZEMAN, Montana – January 13, 2022 – Montana State opens the 2022 men's tennis season in daunting fashion Friday, when regional power Air Force visits Bozeman. The match begins at 2 pm in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
A strong veteran core leads the Bobcats into the new season. Sophomores Daan Van Dijk and Matej Panik advanced to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championships last fall as a doubles team, and the two are expected to help anchor the top of the Bobcats singles lineup. While Panik enters his first spring season at MSU, junior Nejc Sitar and sophomores Brad Buckland and Jacob Huppin also contend for top-of-the-order spots.
Seniors Joaquin Espinoza and Manuel Monteiro and junior Marcos Zelver bring depth to the order. Sophomore transfer Jamieson Nathan brings athleticism to the lineup and freshman Georgios Nouchakas, a freshman from Greece, is expected to eventually compete for time in the singles lineup.
Preparing the team for competition early in January presents challenges, said third-year coach Trey Morris. "Our goal is to get our guys used to the altitude, to get them moving and get them fit from a cardio perspective," Morris said of the days leading to Friday's match. "We're hitting as many balls as we can and doing a lot of serve and return work."
Morris said after a successful and competitive fall, bolstered by experienced returners and talented newcomers, he feels enthusiasm within the program. "It's different this year," he said. "I can feel the buzz because the guys are excited to play and excited about starting the year with a good opponent at home. We're excited to have fans in the tennis center, and excited to put on a good show."
Senior Robert Baylon finished 11-9 at two, three and four for head coach Dan Ooosterhous in 2021. Junior Jonathan Mascagni finished 7-10 in singles play between the third and fourth ladder spots a season ago.
Morris is more than ready to get the season rolling. "I think any of our players will tell you that this is a great group with a lot of camaraderie," he said. "It's the best team culture I've been around with a very competitive group of guys. I think we'll develop good depth as the season goes. I'm excited to get started."
#GoCatsGo
A strong veteran core leads the Bobcats into the new season. Sophomores Daan Van Dijk and Matej Panik advanced to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championships last fall as a doubles team, and the two are expected to help anchor the top of the Bobcats singles lineup. While Panik enters his first spring season at MSU, junior Nejc Sitar and sophomores Brad Buckland and Jacob Huppin also contend for top-of-the-order spots.
Seniors Joaquin Espinoza and Manuel Monteiro and junior Marcos Zelver bring depth to the order. Sophomore transfer Jamieson Nathan brings athleticism to the lineup and freshman Georgios Nouchakas, a freshman from Greece, is expected to eventually compete for time in the singles lineup.
Preparing the team for competition early in January presents challenges, said third-year coach Trey Morris. "Our goal is to get our guys used to the altitude, to get them moving and get them fit from a cardio perspective," Morris said of the days leading to Friday's match. "We're hitting as many balls as we can and doing a lot of serve and return work."
Morris said after a successful and competitive fall, bolstered by experienced returners and talented newcomers, he feels enthusiasm within the program. "It's different this year," he said. "I can feel the buzz because the guys are excited to play and excited about starting the year with a good opponent at home. We're excited to have fans in the tennis center, and excited to put on a good show."
Senior Robert Baylon finished 11-9 at two, three and four for head coach Dan Ooosterhous in 2021. Junior Jonathan Mascagni finished 7-10 in singles play between the third and fourth ladder spots a season ago.
Morris is more than ready to get the season rolling. "I think any of our players will tell you that this is a great group with a lot of camaraderie," he said. "It's the best team culture I've been around with a very competitive group of guys. I think we'll develop good depth as the season goes. I'm excited to get started."
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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