The action ramps up for Montana State's men's tennis team this weekend, when perennial Big Sky power Sacramento State and regional rival Utah State visit the Anderson Bobcat Tennis Center. Sacramento State brings a 3-4 record to Bozeman, but three of the Hornets four losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked teams. The Aggies post a strong 5-4 mark, which includes wins over Big Sky foes Idaho State and Weber State. MSU's two-match win streak ended at the hands of Air Force last weekend, but the Bobcats continue to compete hard and improve. Pawel Turzanski (no. one singles) and Fletcher Keyes (no. two singles) each enter weekend play on three-match winning streaks.
Weekend Schedule
FRIDAY, February 26
5 pm: Utah State at Montana State
SATURDAY, February 27
10 am: Sacramento State at Montana State
2 pm: Sacramento State vs. Utah State
Big Sky Breakdown
With a big conference match on tap this weekend in the Anderson-Bobcat Tennis Center, below is a look at the Big Sky standings...
Team BSC Hm Rd All Streak
Montana 1-0 2-1 0-0 1-1 W1
Northern Arizona 3-0 6-2 3-0 2-1 W4
Portland State 2-1 4-5 3-1 1-2 W2
Weber State 2-1 3-6 1-0 1-5 L2
Sacramento State 2-1 3-4 3-0 0-3 L2
Eastern Wash. 1-1 3-5 3-1 0-3 L1
Montana State 1-3 3-8 2-1 1-5 L1
Northern Colorado 0-2 0-5 0-2 0-2 L5
Idaho State 0-2 0-5 0-3 0-2 L5
Smith on the Mend
Montana State's no. one singles player, Corey Smith, has missed the MSU's last four outings, and six of the last seven, with a strained shoulder. “It's not a severe injury,” said MSU Coach Mike Phillips, “but we want to make sure he's 100 percent recovered before he gets back into action.” Smith's status for this weekend is TBA.
Moving Up, Standing Tall
In Corey Smith's stead last week, a pair of Bobcats moved up the ladder with outstanding results. Pawel Turzanski moved from no. two singles to no. one, and Fletcher Keyes from no. three to no. two, and each blasted through the weekend in undefeated fashion. Turzanski capped his weekend with a thrilling win over previously undefeated Lance Wilhelm of Air Force 4-6, 7-6, 7-6. “That was a really impressive win,” said MSU coach Mike Phillips. “Air Force is very solid, and Pawel ended that player's nice run.” Keyes also finished weekend play with a 3-0 mark in singles competition.
Streaking
Montana State has posted a streaky 2010 season to date. The Cats lost their first seven matches of the season, then rattled off a three-match winning streak before falling to Air Force.
