IU men's tennis could not beat both Big Ten Michigan teams to close out the regular season.
Despite playing at home, the Hoosiers could not take full advantage. IU (17-10, 6-5) beat Michigan on Friday 5-2 in a match played outdoors. IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman used to be a coach at Michigan.
“It was obviously a little bit strange playing against the guys that I had coached not too long ago,” Wurtzman said. “But once the match started it was pretty easy to get over that and focus in on our guys.”
Throughout the match, Michigan (6-16, 3-8) seemed to have no answers against the Hoosiers.
“We played a great doubles point with a ton of energy and great teamwork and really went after it,” Wurtzman said. “Throughout the singles, we really got off to great starts and really just put ourselves in position on all courts, and we were able to finish strong on a number of courts. I thought that was a great effort by our team.”
On Sunday, the Hoosiers were upset by Michigan State at the IU Tennis Center.
Michigan State defeated No. 43 IU 5-2. Despite having an inferior record, Michigan State (13-15, 4-7) won the doubles point and never looked back.
“They came in and just outplayed us,” Wurtzman said. “Credit to them, they just really played well really in all spots and we were fortunate enough to get a couple of points on the board, but I thought that we really didn’t match their intensity and their tennis today. So they were the better team.”
For IU senior Sven Lalic, it was his last home match of his IU tennis career. Despite the team loss, Lalic defeated Harry Jadun 6-2, 6-0.
“Today I think we had a tough loss,” Lalic said. “I think I did a good job, but what matters is how we do as a team and our season is not over. So hopefully in the Big Tens we can make the NCAA tournament and get that last big push and show what we’re made of and what we worked for the whole year.”
The Hoosiers will now play in the Big Ten Tournament.
“There is a short break here in a couple of days and we have to play Thursday," Wurtzman said. "We know one match at a time and hopefully we can make a run at it.”
As a senior, Lalic has his own expectations.
“I would like to see that we get out there as a team,” Lalic said. “We compete how Hoosiers do it. Put it all out there. And give it all out. That’s the only way you can win if we’re all together and everyone goes after it.”
