April 16, 2016
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 39 Nittany Lions (19-5, 5-3) took their fifth Big Ten win from the No. 47 Wisconsin Badgers (14-5, 4-4) on Friday night in Madison. Penn State found its footing, after losing a tough doubles point. Four Lions took home singles wins to close out the match 4-2.
"We knew we had to have this win to help us in our Big Ten seeding for the Tournament and also for NCAA ramifications," said Head Coach Jeff Zinn. "Wisconsin is a dangerous team and they have had a great year. They have set numerous records this year and we knew they were going to be tough on their home courts. We played an exciting doubles point but it just didn't go our way."
The doubles pairs ran into trouble for the second match in a row, losing the point. The Lions are now 4-4 when losing the doubles point. The Nittany Lions found themselves knotted at 6 on all doubles courts. The Badgers pulled away in the tiebreak points at second and third doubles to win it.
Senior Tomas Hanzlik (Prague, Czech Republic) grabbed the first win, to bring the score back to 1-1. Hanzlik downed Wisconsin's Osgar O'Hoisin in two quick sets. The Lions kept it rolling with two additional wins from Aws Laaribi (Rye, N.Y.) and Ben Lieb (Newtown Square, Pa.). Laaribi, at fifth singles, defeated his opponent 6-3, 6-1. Lieb also won in two sets over John Zordani to bring the Penn State lead to 3-1.
"I am proud of our resolve to put it behind us and then we took 6 first sets in singles," said Coach Zinn. "We played a complete match and that is what is so important at this time of the year. All players must play at their highest levels if we are to achieve our goals."
The Badgers fought back, taking home one more singles point from second singles and Leonard Stakhovsky (Kiev, Ukraine). It was all over when senior and co-captain Matt Barry (Lido Beach, N.Y.) clinched the win at third singles. Barry, notorious for three sets, wrapped his 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win up to bring home the 4-2 win.
"This was a huge win for the team," said Assistant Coach Paul Tobin. "We saw this match as a must win to continue with our NCAA hopes alive. We struggled in doubles but came alive in singles when we needed to. I continue to be very proud of these boys. Our focus now turns to Sunday when we take on Minnesota."
The Lions now travel to Minnesota to play at 1 p.m. Sunday. Minnesota will host the Lions for their senior day.
MEN'S SINGLES:
1. Josef Dodridge (UW) vs. Constant De La Bassetiere (PSU), 3-6, 6-3, 3-4, unfinished
2. Lamar Remy (UW) def. Leonard Stakhovsky (PSU), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
3. Matt Barry (PSU) def. Chema Carranza (UW), 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
4. Tomas Hanzlik (PSU) def. Osgar O'Hoisin (UW), 6-3, 6-0
5. Aws Laaribi (PSU) def. Darius Mackenzie (UW), 6-3, 6-1
6. Ben Lieb (PSU) def. John Zordani (UW), 6-4, 6-1
MEN'S DOUBLES:
1. Josef Dodridge/Lamar Remy (UW) vs. David Kohan/Christian Lutschaunig (PSU), 6-6, unfinished
2. Jakhongir Jalalov/Chema Carranza (UW) def. Matt Barry/Leonard Stakhovsky (PSU), 7-6 (7-3)
3. Darius Mackenzie/John Zordani (UW) def. Aws Laaribi/Constant De La Bassetiere (PSU), 7-6 (7-4)
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,5,6,2,3)