Rockets Set for Battle Against Spartans

Saturday, January 11

East Lansing, Mich.

11:00 AM

University of Toledo

Michigan State

Sophomore Cole Shoults and the Rockets are ready to take on Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday.

Photo by: Katherine Jamtgaard

1/8/2020 2:03:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Live Stats

TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo men's tennis team is ready to launch dual match play in East Lansing, Mich. against Michigan State on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.

"We hope to start the year blazing immediately, but surely there will be lots of challenges," said head coach Al Wermer. "I think this group will be up for every hurdle, and will face each one with enthusiasm and resilience. For Saturday, Michigan State is always strong in their building. We need to be prepared for a long battle."

Last Time Out
The Rockets last hit the courts for the MAC Invitational in November, where junior Filip Zupancic went 2-1 in doubles and 2-1 in singles over the weekend. Zupancic, paired with senior Danilo Vukotic picked up 8-4 wins against Ball State's Danilo Kovacevic/Thibault De Negri and Binghamton's Michael Pawlowicz/Tiago Lourenco in Flight 1 doubles. On his own, Zupancic tallied wins over Binghamton's Alejandro Pena and Buffalo's Greg Hastings. Freshman Max Skaer also had a 2-1 record in both singles and doubles action, posting individual wins over Ball State's Alec Robillard and Abe Wojtalik. Paired with fellow freshman Luis Kleinschnitz, Skaer picked up an 8-6 win over Binghamton's Luke Karniewich/Sebastian Quiros and an 8-4 win over Ball State's Khamasi Muhiga/Alec Robillard.

Last Time Against Michigan State
Toledo last faced Michigan State during the 2015-16 season, falling 6-1 to the Spartans. Luka Vitosevic posted the Rockets' sole point, defeating Mac Roy after a three-set thriller, 6-7, 6-4, 10-4, on the No. 2 singles court.

Scouting Michigan State
MSU will also be opening dual match play on Saturday.

Returning for the Spartans is junior Jack Winkler, who posted a dual match singles record of 10-11 (2-6 Big Ten) on the No. 1 court last season. Winkler went 6-11 (1-3 Big Ten) in doubles, going 3-6 on the No. 1 court and 3-5 on the No.2 court.

Last season MSU went 6-21 (0-11 Big Ten). Michigan State swept Eastern Illinois 4-0, and edged out Ball State 4-3. The Spartans also posted 4-2 wins against Xavier and Yale and a 4-1 win over Chicago State. After going winless in conference play, No. 12 seeded MSU ended the season with a 4-0 loss to No. 5 seeded Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament.