UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State men's tennis team (7-9, 7-9 B1G) earned a regular season sweep over Michigan State (5-12, 5-10 B1G) in its home finale. Senior Christian Lakoseljac earned his 66th doubles victory, climbing to No. 10 in the all-time career doubles wins at Penn State. The Nittany Lions finish the season with an impressive 5-2 record at home.
"It's great on Senior Day to get the win and send the seniors off on the right note at home," head coach Jeff Zinn said. "You could see the emotion in all the players that they really wanted to get this done today. From a coaching standpoint, you feel so good and proud that the boys rallied around each other. We finished the season on a high note and are in the right place we need to be heading into the Big Ten tournament."
"We didn't want to take Michigan State lightly," associate head coach Paul Tobin said. "They got the doubles point last time we played, and we knew we needed to get that point today. Guys really stepped up in singles and gave us a good win on Senior Day. Proud of our seniors and glad they ended their career on a positive note."
DOUBLES
The Nittany Lions clinched the doubles point with dominant wins at No. 1 and 2.
At No. 1, Christian Lakoseljac (King City, Ontario, Canada) and Bora Sengul (Denizli, Turkey) put away the 47th-ranked duo of Nick Williams and Kazuki Matsun, 6-1.
On court two, Tim Ruetzel (Munich, Germany) and Miko Eala (Philippines/Manacor, Spain) took care of Drew Keene and Jarreau Campbell by a final score of 6-2.
Christos Antonopoulos (Athens, Greece) and Charl Morgan (Johannesburg, South Africa) were leading 5-3 in an unfinished match against Graydon Lair and Josh Mukherjee.
SINGLES
Extending the lead to 2-0, Antonopoulos earned a Senior Day win over Jarreau Campbell at No. 6 in a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
At No. 3 Miko Eala defeated Josh Mukherjee in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to win his fourth consecutive match. Eala finishes the regular season with a team-high 11 singles wins.
Freshman Bora Sengul clinched the match as he swept Nick Williams 6-3, 6-2 on court two.
To put the Nittany Lions up 5-1, Tim Ruetzel won at No. 4 over Anthony Pero in a third set tiebreak 6-2, 3-6, 10-8, finishing the regular season with a 9-5 singles record.
Michigan State's Graydon Lair defeated Alp Sentay 6-7, 6-3, 10-8 to put a point on the board for the Spartans.
The match concluded with a singles win at No. 1 by Christian Lakoseljac over Carson Gates 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
UP NEXT
Penn State finishes the regular season third place in the East Division behind Michigan and Ohio State. The 2021 Big Ten Men's Tennis Championship begins Thursday, April 29 and will be hosted by the University of Nebraska.
RESULTS
Penn State, 6, Michigan State 1
Doubles results:
1. Christian Lakoseljac/Bora Sengul (PSU) def. #47 Nick Williams/Kazuki Matsuno (MSU) 6-1
2. Tim Ruetzel/Miko Eala (PSU) def. Drew Keene/Jarreau Campbell (MSU) 6-2
3. Christos Antonopoulos/Charl Morgan (PSU) vs. Graydon Lair/Josh Mukherjee (MSU) 5-3, unfinished
Order of finish: 1, 2
Singles results:
1. Christian Lakoseljac (PSU) def. Carson Gates (MSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
2. Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Nick Williams (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Miko Eala (PSU) def. Josh Mukherjee (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Tim Ruetzel (PSU) def. Anthony Pero (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
5. Graydon Lair (MSU) def. Alp Sentay (PSU) 6-7, 6-3, 10-8
6. Christos Antonopoulos (PSU) def. Jarreau Campbell (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
Order of finish: 6, 3, 2, 4, 5, 1
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.