EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Coming a few points shy of winning doubles play, the Eastern Illinois men's tennis squad dropped a 6-1 road match at Big Ten power Michigan State on Saturday. The Panthers fall to 3-9 on the season with the loss at the Spartan's Indoor Tennis Facility.

The EIU duo of Jeff Rutherford/Justin Haag came within two points short against their No. 1 opponents, while MSU needed extra play to down Jamie Firth/Michael Sperry at No. 3 doubles, 8-7 (5).

After losing the all-important doubles point, the Panthers earned one singles victory as sophomore Matyas Hilgert won a tough battle at the No. 6 position, holding on for the 7-6 (5), 6-7 (6), 10-7 win.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Eastern lineup dropped each of their matchups in straight sets.

The Panthers will now take the upcoming week of spring break to prepare for the squad's home and Ohio Valley Conference opener on March 21, with first serve set for 11 am at EIU's Rex Darling Courts.

Michigan State 6, Eastern Illinois 1
9 am … Sat., March 13, 2010
MSU Indoor Tennis Facility

Singles
1. Ronnie Hulewicz (EIU) def. Jeff Rutherford (EIU) - 6-2, 6-3
2. Austin Brooks (EIU) def. Warren Race (EIU) - 6-2, 6-4
3. Denis Bogatov (EIU) def. Justin Haag (EIU) - 6-3, 6-4
4. Jason Norville (EIU) def. Jamie Firth (EIU) - 6-2, 6-1
5. Joe Vallee (EIU) def. Michael Sperry (EIU) - 7-5, 6-2
6. Matyas Hilgert (EIU) def. Christian Roehmer (MSU) - 7-6 (5), 6-7 (6), 10-7

Doubles
1. Brooks/John Stratton (MSU) def. Rutherford/Haag (EIU) - 8-6
2. Bogatov/Clark Richardson (MSU) def. Hilgert/Race (EIU) - 8-4
3. Will David/Brendan Kinkopf (MSU) def. Firth/Sperry (EIU) - 8-7 (5)

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID