Huskers Survive Scare, 4-3

Lincoln, Neb. - While the temperature was dropping outside, the action was heating up at the Lincoln Racquet Club. The Huskers (8-7, 1-2 Big Ten) and Spartans (10-10, 1-2 Big Ten) battled for over six hours and Nebraska clawed their way to a 4-3 victory. The win was Nebraska's first victory in Big Ten play this season.

Michigan State started out with the early 1-0 advantage when they gained victories from their No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams. Gijs Linders and Mac Roy started the action with an 8-5 decision over Scott Elsass and Linus Erhart in the No. 2 spot. The No. 3 team of Andrew Dzulynsky and Marc Herrmann played tough, but lost 2-8. In the No. 1 spot, Dusty Boyer and Bradford Zitsch sparred against John Patrick Mullane and Harry Jadun, the match went unfinished.

Brett Forman kept things going for the Spartans when he defeated Marc Herrmann (5-7, 3-6) in the No 2 spot.

Linus Erhart helped the Huskers with his defeat of Harry Jadun in straight sets (6-4, 7-5).

Dusty Boyer and Gijs Linders fought for over three hours in the No. 1 Singles match. Linders earned a 5-7 decision in the first set, but Boyer held strong and came back with an eye popping 6-2 victory. Boyer and Linders continued dueling in set three and Boyer walked away with the 7-5 win.

The Spartans regained their lead when Mac Roy took out Andrew Dzulynsky (5-7, 3-6). Dzulynsky battled, but ended up losing the first decision 5-7. Roy used his momentum from the first set to take set two and the match.

With Michigan State leading 3-2, the Huskers would have to win the No. 5 and No. 6 Singles matches to gain the victory.

Chris Hobgarski helped turn the tide when he took set one (6-4) from Michael Dube in No. 5's Singles play. Dube clawed his way through set two and earned the set (7-5). The duo were evenly matched throughout and ended up being tied at the end of set three, 6-6. Hobgarski and Dube stayed true and were evenly matched through the tie breaking point. Hobgarski edged Dube in the end with a 7-5 tie breaking victory, giving him set three and his match (7-6).

The final match of the day between Bradford Zitsch and Jasper Koenen would decide the winner of the dual. Koenen came out swining his way to an early 6-4 victory in set one. Zitsch trusted his game and evened the score up when he earned the tying 6-4 decision. The winner of this dual would be decided in the third and final set. Zitsch ran away with set three and helped the Huskers earn their first Big Ten victory of the season.

"Again, a really good college match, especially because it came from us coming back to win the singles matches at the end," said Coach McDermott. "We got off to a bad start in doubles, but I am very proud of the team for coming back to win four of the six singles matches. That is very hard to do, no matter the opponent. I thought Dusty (Boyer) did a good job of coming back after losing the first set, and so did Bradford (Zitsch). For a freshman, Chris (Hobgarski) handled the pressure really well and came through when we needed him most. We needed this win going into our match with Michigan on Sunday. It always feels good to win a Big Ten match and now we look forward to our dual with the Wolverines."

Nebraska will now change their focus to Michigan. The match between the Huskers and Wolverines will take place on Sunday, March 29 at the Vine Street Courts. The opening seerve is set for 12 p.m.

Singles:
1. Dusty Boyer (NEB) def. Gijs Linders (MSU) 5-7, 6-2, 7-5

2. Brett Forman (MSU) def. Marc Herrmann (NEB) 5-7, 3-6

3. Linus Erhart (NEB) def. Harry Jadun (MSU) 6-4, 7-5

4. Mac Roy (MSU) def. Andrew Dzulynsky (NEB) 5-7, 3-6

5. Chris Hobgarski (NEB) def. Michael Dube (MSU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5)

6. Bradford Zitsch (NEB) def. Jasper Koenen (MSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 6

Doubles:
1. Dusty Boyer/Bradford Zitsch (NEB) vs. John Patrick Mullane/Harry Jadun (MSU) 5-7 (unfinished)

2. Gijs Linders/Mac Roy (MSU) def. Scott Elsass/Linus Erhart (NEB) 5-8

3. Doug Zade/Jasper Koenen (MSU) def. Andrew Dzulynsky/Marc Herrmann (NEB) 2-8

Order of Finish: 3, 2