Huskers Open Big Ten Play with Fifth Straight Victory

Lincoln, Neb. – The No. 45 Nebraska men's tennis team (9-5, 1-0 Big Ten) made its outdoor home debut as the Huskers took down No. 74 Michigan State (6-8, 0-1 Big Ten) 5-2 on Friday night at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center to open conference play.
 
The Huskers started doubles action with Nic Wiedenhorn and Leo Linquet picking up a win at No. 2 doubles, 6-3, over the Spartans' Luke Baylis and Josh Portnoy. Michigan State answered back in No. 1 doubles with Ozan Baris and Anthony Pero defeating NU's William Gleason and Calvin Mueller, 6-1.

Down 5-2 in No. 3 doubles, Roni Hietaranta and Shunya Maruyama stormed back to defeat Max Sheldon and David Saye, 7-5, and pick up the doubles point to lead 1-0. 
 
The Huskers started strong in singles play, with Gleason picking up a win in No. 4 singles over Pero, 6-1, 6-2. Mueller got the Huskers within a point of the overall victory with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Graydon Lair in No. 5 singles. Wiedenhorn clinched the Huskers victory with a 6-4, 6-3 in the No. 6 spot over Saye.
 
The two teams opted to play out the remainder of the match. Maruyama won 6-4, 6-1 in No. 3 singles over Baylis. Michigan State picked up the last two points as No. 51 Baris defeated Hietaranta in the No. 1 spot, 7-6 (9), 6-0, and Sheldon defeated Linquet 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10) in No. 2 singles.
 
The Huskers finish up their homestand on Sunday against No. 5 Michigan at 12 p.m. (CT) at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center.
 
Tennis Match Results
Michigan State vs Nebraska
Mar 24, 2023 at Lincoln, Nebraska (Dillon Tennis Center)
#45 Nebraska 5, #74 Michigan State 2

Singles competition
1. #51 Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Roni Hietaranta (NEB) 7-6 (11-9), 6-0
2. Max Sheldon (MSU) def. Leo Linquet (NEB) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (12-10)
3. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Luke Baylis (MSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. William Gleason (NEB) def. Anthony Pero (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Graydon Lair (MSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
6. Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) def. David Saye (MSU) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Ozan Baris/Anthony Pero (MSU) def. William Gleason/Calvin Mueller (NEB) 6-1
2. Nic Wiedenhorn/Leo Linquet (NEB) def. Luke Baylis/Josh Portnoy (MSU) 6-3
3. Roni Hietaranta/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Max Sheldon/David Saye (MSU) 7-5

Match Notes:
Michigan State 6-8; National ranking #74
Nebraska 9-5; National ranking #45
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,5,6,3,1,2)
A-92