Wolverines Dominate Michigan State, 5-2

Wednesday, April 5

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

Michigan State

4/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's tennis team defeated archrival Michigan State on Wednesday evening (April 5), claiming a 5-2 victory at the Varsity Tennis Center. The Wolverines (9-3) posted their ninth consecutive win against the Spartans and moved Michigan's all-time series advantage to 82-17.

Michigan claimed a 1-0 advantage with wins at all three doubles spots to start the match. Senior co-captain John Long (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) and Zach Held (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central HS) started things with a commanding 8-2 win at the No. 2 spot over Mark Findling and Robert Topalo. Senior Ron Nano (Great Neck, N.Y./South HS) and sophomore Henry Beam (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix HS) secured the team point by beating Ivica Primorac and Jimmy McGuire by an 8-3 score at the No. 3 spot. Senior Matt Wright (Wichita, Kan./Wichita Collegiate HS) and sophomore Danny McCain (Largo, Fla./Canterbury School) polished off the doubles sweep with an 8-5 win over Ken Kigongo and Francisco Trinidad at the top spot.

The Wolverines kept the momentum going in singles, posting four wins to earn the 5-2 margin of victory. Wright, Beam and Nano posted straight-set wins, while Cox came back from a first-set loss to win in three sets at the No. 5 spot (4-6, 6-2, 6-3). Michigan State gained its victories as Roberto Topalo and Trinidad won in three sets. Topalo beat Long at the No. 2 spot (5-7, 6-4, 6-4), and Trinidad defeated McCain at No. 4 spot (4-6, 6-3, 6-3).

Michigan will look to continue its two-match winning streak and collect its 10th win of the season when the Wolverines host Indiana on Saturday (April 8, 1 p.m.) at the Varsity Tennis Center.

Following are match-by-match results:

Singles
No. 1 -- Matt Wright (U-M) d. Ken Kigongo, 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 -- Robert Topalo (MSU) d. John Long, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 -- Henry Beam (U-M) d. Ivica Primorac, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 -- Francisco Trinidad (MSU) d. Danny McCain, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
No. 5 -- Ben Cox (U-M) d. Goran Topalo, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 -- Ron Nano (U-M) d. Todd Townsend, 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
No. 1 -- Wright/McCain (U-M) d. Kigongo/Trinidad, 8-5
No. 2 -- Long/Zach Held (U-M) d. Mark Findling/R. Topalo, 8-2
No. 3 -- Beam/Nano (U-M) d. Primorac/Jimmy McGuire, 8-3

Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423