Montana State University
vs. Drake
Bobcats Split Sunday Doubleheader, Beating Drake While Losing at Nationally-Ranked Utah
2/20/2022 9:32:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MSU earned hard-fought win against Bulldogs in Salt Lake City
Montana State split a pair of men's tennis matches on Sunday, beating Drake 4-3 in Salt Lake City before losing at No. 25 Utah 4-0.
The Cats dropped the doubles point against Drake, and after Daan Van Dijk won a straight-sets match at No. 2 the team was pushed to the verge of elimination with losses at No. 4 and at the top ladder spot. But freshman Georgios Nouchakis won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6, and Nejc Sitar (at No. 5) and Jamieson Nathan (at No. 3) won dramatic third sets to clinch the victory.
"The guys came out a little slow in doubles," said Bobcat coach Trey Morris. "We gave ourselves opportunities but couldn't quite get over the hump. Going into singles Creel (Smith, MSU's assistant coach) and I challenged the guys to embody what we've been doing all year, which is to win the energy battle and fight for each other on all six courts. They came out in singles and fought their tails off. We gave ourselves an opportunity to win the match. Jamieson and Nejcs stepped up and won their three-set matches, and it was a great 4-3 win over a good Drake team."
While the Utah score was lopsided, the match wasn't. The Bobcats lost straight-set decisions at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4, but led in the match at No. 6 and in the set at No. 2 when the other matches were discontinued because Utah had clinched the team result. "The guys came out well in doubles but we couldn't get over the hump," Morris said. "We had the same mentality in singles as we did against Drake and gave ourselves some opportunities. I felt good about J's (Joaquin Espinoza) match at 6, I felt good about Daan's match at 2, and I felt good about Nejc's match at 5. I was proud of the guys' effort today, but in the end Utah showed a lot of class and proved why they're ranked 25 (in the nation)."
Morris said he's looking forward to Monday's match at Utah State. "We're excited to get back on the courts and compete and show what kind of team we have," he said.
The match begins at 11 am.
Montana State 4, Drake 3
1 pm on 2-20-22 at Salt Lake City, Utah (George S. Eccles Tennis Center)
SINGLES
1. Jeremy Schifris (DU) def. Matej Panik (MSU) 6-3, 7-6 (6-4)
2. Daan Van Dijk (MSU) def. Oliver Johansson (DU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Jamieson Nathan (MSU) def. Reid Jarvis (DU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
4. Markus Bolin (DU) def. Brad Buckland (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
5. Nejc Sitar (MSU) def. Olle SonessonLidholt (DU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
6. Georgios Nouchakis (MSU) def. Matt Clegg (DU) 7-5, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. Jeremy Schifris/Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Matej Panik/Daan Van Dijk (MSU) 7-6 (7-5)
2. Matt Clegg/Reid Jarvis (DU) def. Manuel Monteiro/Nejc Sitar (MSU) 6-3
3. Olle SonessonLidholt/Evan Fragistas (DU) led Jamieson Nathan/Brad Buckland (MSU), 6-6 (7-6) unfinished
RECORDS: Montana State 8-1, Drake 1-7
ORDER OF FINISH: Singles (2,4,1,6,5,3) Doubles (2,1,unfinished)
Utah 4, Montana State 0
5:30 pm on 2-20-22 at Salt Lake City, Utah (George S. Eccles Tennis Center)
SINGLES
1. Franco Capalbo (UU) def. Matej Panik (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Francisco Bastias (UU) led Daan Van Dijk (MSU) 6-4, 2-3 unfinished
3. Geronimo Espin (UU) def. Jamieson Nathan (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
4. Bruno Caula (UU) def. Brad Buckland (MSU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Mathias Gavelin (UU) led Nejc Sitar (MSU) 7-5, 3-1 unfinished
6. Joaquin Espinoza (MSU) led Rian Ta (UU) 6-4, 2-1 unfinished
DOUBLES
1. Franco Capalbo/Geronimo Espin (UU) led Daan Van Dijk/Matej Panik (MSU) 5-4 unfinished
2. Francisco Bastias/Bruno Caula (UU) def. Manuel Monteiro/Nejc Sitar (MSU) 6-3
3. Jayson Blando/Mathias Gavelan (UU) def. Brad Buckland/Jamieson Nathan (MSU) 6-3
RECORDS: Montana State 8-2
ORDER OF FINISH: Singles (1,4,3) Doubles (3,2)
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
2,4,1,6,5,3
Players Mentioned
