Thursday, April 14
Bozeman, MT
2 pm
Montana State University
vs
Sacramento State
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Bobcat Men's Tennis Team Faces Crucial Home Match Thursday
4/13/2022 3:45:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Montana State continues to lead the Big Sky, but Sacramento State has thoughts of knocking the Cats off their perch
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's 2022 men's tennis season reaches a crucial moment on Thursday, when Montana State hosts Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference match with strong championship implications.
But for third-year head coach Trey Morris, that doesn't much matter.
"This will be a tough battle for our guys," Morris said of the showdown between a Bobcat team that is 5-1 and tied with Montana atop the league standings. Sacramento State is 4-3, with three other squads in between with two losses each. "But we prepare for every match this way. I say it all the time, but we expect the best from each opponent, but we focus on our side of the net and on the details that help us get better."
Morris said that approach emphasizes being in the moment. "My philosophy is that we need to get better today," he said. "When we're done today, we'll focus on (the Sacramento State match). When we're finished with that, we'll work on getting better the next day."
The Hornets offer an important opportunity for the Bobcats, and a new one. "This will be our first meeting in my tenure here either in fall or spring competition," he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to compete with those guys. From afar they have a good program and historically they've been very solid in the Big Sky Conference."
The Bobcats dropped a disappointing 5-2 decision at Idaho on Sunday, the program's first Big Sky loss of the season. The Bobcats ride strengths developed over a long spring season that began on January 14 into Thursday's match. MSU is led by a strong bottom of the order – Nejc Sitar and Joaquin Espinoza have combined for a 22-8 singles record at the bottom two ladder spots – and hot play from the middle. Matej Panik has won four straight decisions at No. 2, while Jamieson Nathan has won three of four between No. 2 and No. 3.
Morris said Sunday's loss provides his team an opportunity. "We have the chance to refocus and improve in a number of areas of our game, and was can see the areas we've enjoyed success and fortify those."
The Bobcats and Hornets begin at 2 pm on Thursday. The final match of the season is April 23 in Bozeman against Montana.
#GoCatsGo
But for third-year head coach Trey Morris, that doesn't much matter.
"This will be a tough battle for our guys," Morris said of the showdown between a Bobcat team that is 5-1 and tied with Montana atop the league standings. Sacramento State is 4-3, with three other squads in between with two losses each. "But we prepare for every match this way. I say it all the time, but we expect the best from each opponent, but we focus on our side of the net and on the details that help us get better."
Morris said that approach emphasizes being in the moment. "My philosophy is that we need to get better today," he said. "When we're done today, we'll focus on (the Sacramento State match). When we're finished with that, we'll work on getting better the next day."
The Hornets offer an important opportunity for the Bobcats, and a new one. "This will be our first meeting in my tenure here either in fall or spring competition," he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to compete with those guys. From afar they have a good program and historically they've been very solid in the Big Sky Conference."
The Bobcats dropped a disappointing 5-2 decision at Idaho on Sunday, the program's first Big Sky loss of the season. The Bobcats ride strengths developed over a long spring season that began on January 14 into Thursday's match. MSU is led by a strong bottom of the order – Nejc Sitar and Joaquin Espinoza have combined for a 22-8 singles record at the bottom two ladder spots – and hot play from the middle. Matej Panik has won four straight decisions at No. 2, while Jamieson Nathan has won three of four between No. 2 and No. 3.
Morris said Sunday's loss provides his team an opportunity. "We have the chance to refocus and improve in a number of areas of our game, and was can see the areas we've enjoyed success and fortify those."
The Bobcats and Hornets begin at 2 pm on Thursday. The final match of the season is April 23 in Bozeman against Montana.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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