Feb. 28, 2009
Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Freshman Skip Span of the Illinois State men's tennis team earned the `Birds single point against Michigan State Saturday, at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility in East Lansing, Mich. Span played three sets to win at the No. 3 singles spot.
No.3 was the lucky number for the Redbirds, as the doubles team of Daniel Tobar and Micah LeMoine outplayed Alex Forger and Clark Richardson, 8-3, at the No. 3 doubles. However, it was not enough for Illinois State to win the doubles' point, as MSU took victories at the No.1 and No. 2 positions.
"We put in a good effort in doubles," said head coach Cris James. "We started off strong and had some opportunities to win the doubles' point, but we weren't able to cash in on the win."
In singles play, Span bested Scott Rasmussen in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to earn the team's lone point at the No. 3 position. Junior Michael Hobson battled at the No. 4 slot against Austin Brooks, falling to the Spartan, 7-6, 6-4. In No. 5 singles, Ronnie Hulewicz won by retirement, as Tobar was forced to end play in the second set due to old injury.
"Skip played well at the No. 3 spot," James said. "He just went out and played with confidence. He didn't get down on himself when there were small mistakes; he focused on making smart choices.
The Illinois State men's tennis team will be taking a short break before traveling to Louisiana over spring break. The Redbirds will compete at Louisiana-Lafayette, Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m., in Lafayette, La., and then against Southeastern Louisiana Thursday, March 12, at 2 p.m., in Hammond, La.
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