MSU Men's Tennis Match at Weber State Saturday Canceled
3/28/2023 9:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Bobcats remain below minimum for available players required to compete
BOZEMAN, Montana – Hampered by a rash of injuries that has left the team with just three available student-athletes, Montana State men's tennis and the Big Sky Conference announced Monday the team's intention to return to competition when health allows but that it will not compete for a Big Sky Conference championship this spring.
"It's an unfortunate situation for the men's tennis program, however, we will always prioritize health, safety, and well-being when it comes to our student-athletes," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "There is very little room for error with the roster size and we have been hit with a tidal wave. Our goal is to focus on recovery and get back on the court as soon as we are physically able."
The Bobcats began the season with a pair of losses in January, but injuries incurred leading to and during a match at Oral Roberts in Oklahoma City on January 19 left MSU unable to field a team for its subsequent matches. The Cats have canceled 10 non-conference matches and three league duals to date. The makeup contest at Weber State set for April 1 was canceled on Monday, with the fate of each week's matches to be determined by noon on the preceding Monday.
NCAA rules call for a minimum of five players for an official match, and a minimum of 12 competitions for championship eligibility. Montana State's remaining matches include home events on April 7 vs. Portland State, April 9 against Idaho, and April 16 against Idaho State. The annual Cat-Griz dual is slated for April 22 in Missoula. Any Bobcat match against a Big Sky opponent will not count in the league standings, and the Cats are not eligible for the conference championship tournament.
#GoCatsGo
"It's an unfortunate situation for the men's tennis program, however, we will always prioritize health, safety, and well-being when it comes to our student-athletes," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "There is very little room for error with the roster size and we have been hit with a tidal wave. Our goal is to focus on recovery and get back on the court as soon as we are physically able."
The Bobcats began the season with a pair of losses in January, but injuries incurred leading to and during a match at Oral Roberts in Oklahoma City on January 19 left MSU unable to field a team for its subsequent matches. The Cats have canceled 10 non-conference matches and three league duals to date. The makeup contest at Weber State set for April 1 was canceled on Monday, with the fate of each week's matches to be determined by noon on the preceding Monday.
NCAA rules call for a minimum of five players for an official match, and a minimum of 12 competitions for championship eligibility. Montana State's remaining matches include home events on April 7 vs. Portland State, April 9 against Idaho, and April 16 against Idaho State. The annual Cat-Griz dual is slated for April 22 in Missoula. Any Bobcat match against a Big Sky opponent will not count in the league standings, and the Cats are not eligible for the conference championship tournament.
#GoCatsGo
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Monday, March 25
