Michigan Extends Win Streak Against MSU to 19 Straight

Michigan Extends Win Streak Against MSU to 19 Straight

Site: East Lansing, Mich. (MSU Indoor Tennis Center)

Score: #5 Michigan 6, Michigan State 1

Records: U-M (16-2, 3-0), MSU (6-10, 0-3)

Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 2 – vs. Louisville (Varsity Tennis Center), Noon

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan men’s tennis team captured its 19th straight victory over Michigan State on Thursday (March 30) in a 6-1 match. The Wolverines improve to 16-2 on the season and stay unbeaten in the Big Ten at 3-0.

Michigan changed up its doubles pairings and took the point as Nino Ehrenschneider and Patrick Maloney won 6-4 at No. 1 and Gavin Young and Ondrej Styler claimed a 6-2 at No. 2. Young and Styler have not played together since Sept. 23, but made quick work of Kazuki Matsuno and Josh Portnoy at the No. 2 position. Ehrenschneider and Maloney clinched the doubles point, after MSU won at No. 3, with a 6-4 win over Ozan Baris and Reed Crocker. This is the second match Ehrenschneider and Maloney have played and they are now 2-0.

Jacob Bickersteth stretched his record at No. 4 singles to 4-0 as he gave Michigan a 2-0 lead. Bickersteth topped Graydon Lair 6-3, 6-2 as he improves to 13-6 in singles play.

Ehrenschneider followed up with 6-4, 7-5 wins over Portnoy at No. 5. He has won his last two matches after returning to the courts in mid-March after overcoming an injury.

Young earned his second victory of the afternoon as the No. 40 ranked singles player rallied in a match with Luke Baylis. Baylis earned a 6-4 win in the first set before Young settled in to take a 6-2 second set and win the third 6-3 to clinch the win for the team. Young is now 19-8 in singles play this season.

The in-state rivals played the match out with the Spartans picking up a win at No. 6 singles as David Saye took two of three sets from Patorn Hanchaikul.

No. 14-ranked Styler stayed hot winning his eighth straight match as he topped No. 51-ranked Baris 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. Styler is now 5-0 when facing a ranked opponent this season and 31-10 in his career.

Maloney remains unbeaten in singles play as he won his ninth match. The No. 23-ranked Maloney won 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2 over Max Sheldon.

Michigan will return…