April 2, 2011

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's tennis team was defeated in its fourth conference match of the season, falling to the No. 24 Minnesota, 4-3. The 53rd ranked Spartans are now 13-5 and 0-4 in conference play.

MSU lost the doubles point as seniors Jason Norville and John Stratton fell, 8-2, to Arndt and Gallego in the No. 1 position. Freshman Aaron Pfister and junior Ron Hulewicz were defeated in the No. 2 slot to Wernet and Bonin, 8-4. In the most tightly contested doubles match of the afternoon, senior Clark Richardson and junior Mat Nelson fell in the No. 3 spot to Ruddock and Dehn, 8-7.

The Spartans earned three victories in singles action, gaining points in the three, four and five spots. Junior Austin Brooks defeated Gallego in the No. 3 spot, 2-6, 6-3 (def.), while Stratton defeated Arndt in the No. 4 position, 2-6, 6-4, (10-8). Pfister kept his unbeaten streak alive by earning a victory over Ruddock in the No. 5 spot in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Sophomore Denis Bogatov fell in the No. 1 slot to Bonin, 7-5, 6-0, as Hulewicz was defeated by Wernet in the No. 2 spot, 6-2, 6-4. Freshman Drew Lied was beaten in the No. 6 position by Dehn, 6-3, 6-4.

The Spartans continue action tomorrow, April 3 at 12 p.m., when they host Wisconsin at the MSU Indoor Tennis F