Sunday, March 27
Bozeman, MT
3 pm
Montana State University
vs
Weber State
Photo by: Montana State University
MSU Men's Tennis Team Hosts Weber State in Crucial Match Sunday
3/25/2022 3:08:00 PM | Men's Tennis
First serve for MSU-WSU men is 3 pm...
BOZEMAN, Montana – Throughout the long men's tennis season, Montana State coach Trey Morris insists his team prepares the same way for every match. Home, road or neutral, morning or evening, the core of Morris' approach is the essential nature of consistency in preparation and performance.
But Morris gets it. He knows that as the season ticks down for teams in a conference championship battle, the intensity ratchets up. And he knows that his players can feel that, too.
"I think it does," MSU's third-year coach said of the sense of urgency propelling his league-leading Bobcats into the home stretch of the 2022 Big Sky title chase. "It's especially true in the Big Sky because only six teams get to go to the conference tournament. Naturally, every match is highly contested. Your best effort is so important every time out."
Montana State's next opportunity to impact the Big Sky race is Sunday at 3 pm, when the Cats host Weber State in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center. The Wildcats stand 6-10 on the season, but 2-1 in Big Sky play and one of five teams with no more than one league loss.
The Wildcats own two straight 4-3 wins, and three straight Big Sky victories, entering Sunday's showdown. Weber State plays at Montana on Saturday. Sebastian Buxman leads the Wildcats with a 6-5 record from the No. 1 ladder spot, while Elyes Marouani is 8-4 at No. 3 (0-1 one spot lower).
"Weber State is a really good team from top to bottom," Morris said, "and it's going to be a real challenge. They've shown they're very capable of playing good doubles so that will be important. I think both teams are playing well right now and hitting their stried."
Matej Panik (6-10 on the season, 3-0 in Big Sky play) and Daan Van Dijk (11-5, 1-2) have anchored the top of the MSU lineup this season, but much of the team's important has come at the other end of the spectrum. Nejc Sitar has settled in at the No. 5 ladder spot, where he owns a 9-3 record (1-0 at other positions), and Joaquin Espinoza is 8-3 at the bottom ladder position (2-1 above No. 6).
The Bobcats (3-0 in the Big Sky, 13-6 overall) and Montana (2-0, 10-1) are the only remaining teams unbeaten in BSC play. Those two, NAU, Idaho State and Weber State are the teams that have no more than one league defeat. Yet, nine of the conference's 10 teams continue to hold realistic chances at gaining a Big Sky Tournament berth.
"I think this league is so deep this year," Morris said. "We've made a lot of progress pushing the league in the right direction, and that includes our program. This conference is very solid across the board."
After Sunday's match, the Cats host Northern Arizona on Friday, April 1, then visit Idaho on Sunday, April 10. The team closes the season with home matches against Sacramento State (April 14) and Montana (April 23).
#GoCatsGo
But Morris gets it. He knows that as the season ticks down for teams in a conference championship battle, the intensity ratchets up. And he knows that his players can feel that, too.
"I think it does," MSU's third-year coach said of the sense of urgency propelling his league-leading Bobcats into the home stretch of the 2022 Big Sky title chase. "It's especially true in the Big Sky because only six teams get to go to the conference tournament. Naturally, every match is highly contested. Your best effort is so important every time out."
Montana State's next opportunity to impact the Big Sky race is Sunday at 3 pm, when the Cats host Weber State in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center. The Wildcats stand 6-10 on the season, but 2-1 in Big Sky play and one of five teams with no more than one league loss.
The Wildcats own two straight 4-3 wins, and three straight Big Sky victories, entering Sunday's showdown. Weber State plays at Montana on Saturday. Sebastian Buxman leads the Wildcats with a 6-5 record from the No. 1 ladder spot, while Elyes Marouani is 8-4 at No. 3 (0-1 one spot lower).
"Weber State is a really good team from top to bottom," Morris said, "and it's going to be a real challenge. They've shown they're very capable of playing good doubles so that will be important. I think both teams are playing well right now and hitting their stried."
Matej Panik (6-10 on the season, 3-0 in Big Sky play) and Daan Van Dijk (11-5, 1-2) have anchored the top of the MSU lineup this season, but much of the team's important has come at the other end of the spectrum. Nejc Sitar has settled in at the No. 5 ladder spot, where he owns a 9-3 record (1-0 at other positions), and Joaquin Espinoza is 8-3 at the bottom ladder position (2-1 above No. 6).
The Bobcats (3-0 in the Big Sky, 13-6 overall) and Montana (2-0, 10-1) are the only remaining teams unbeaten in BSC play. Those two, NAU, Idaho State and Weber State are the teams that have no more than one league defeat. Yet, nine of the conference's 10 teams continue to hold realistic chances at gaining a Big Sky Tournament berth.
"I think this league is so deep this year," Morris said. "We've made a lot of progress pushing the league in the right direction, and that includes our program. This conference is very solid across the board."
After Sunday's match, the Cats host Northern Arizona on Friday, April 1, then visit Idaho on Sunday, April 10. The team closes the season with home matches against Sacramento State (April 14) and Montana (April 23).
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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