April 23, 2010

 

MADISON, Wis. – The No. 27–ranked Wisconsin Badgers were too powerful for No. 75 Penn State, as UW brushed past the Nittany Lions in an easy 6-1 victory Friday afternoon.

“I think the guys have really developed a lot of confidence and they’re really getting tough on the court,” said Head Coach Greg Van Emburgh. “The most important thing they’ve learned over the course of the season is to be really tough and to know they’re great tennis players.”

The Badgers jumped out to a quick lead by winning two doubles matches to warrant them the doubles point.

Luke Rassow-Kantor and Chris Freeman paired up at the No. 2 spot to take out Taylor Cohen and Ryan Gomley, 8-2. This win was coupled by an 8-4 victory from Michael Dierberger and Patrick Pohlmann at the No. 3 position to clinch the doubles point.

The No. 16-ranked duo of Moritz Baumann and Marek Michalicka fought back from a 0-3 deficit at the No. 1 spot. Despite tying the match up at 3-3, Penn State kept neck and neck with the Badgers, taking the Badger pair to a tiebreak. After a tight battle, Baumann and Michalicka came out just short, falling 7-3 in the tiebreak.

In singles, Pohlmann was the first Badger to give UW a 2-0 lead by defeating Warren Hardie in a quick 6-2, 6-0 match. Baumann extended this lead when he beat Ryan Gomley 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 2 position.

For the third time this season, Freeman clinched the win for Wisconsin with his straight set 6-3, 6-1win over Bryan Welnetz at the No. 4 spot.

A light rain forced the final three matches to conclude indoors. Freshman Billy Bertha won 6-4, 6-2 over Taylor Cohen.

 At the No. 1 spot, No. 28 Marek Michalicka beat No. 108-ranked Eddie Bourchier 7-5, 7-5. Although Bourchier pushed Michalicka, the Badger showed his endurance in defeating the Nittany Lion.

Freshman Ricardo Martin dropped his first set 6-4 to Guillaume St-Maurice at the No. 6 position. After claiming the second set 7-5, the match was forced indoors, disrupting Martin’s momentum. The match ended with Penn State on top after a 10-5 tiebreak to determine the third set.

Although Wisconsin had already won the match, the entire team gathered around court No. 6 to cheer on Martin.

 “The team is really united,” Van Emburgh said. “It’s not a one-man show. They’ve become a unit and they want to have success and win together. They’re behind each other 100 percent.”

Wisconsin has only one day off before they try to crack No. 4 Ohio State in their final home and regular season match of the season. The match is set to begin at noon.

This match will serve as senior day to honor Wisconsin’s three seniors, Moritz Baumann, Michael Dierberger and Luke Rassow-Kantor.

“We’ve got to keep going out there, being confident, tough and resilient,” Van Emburgh said. “We’ve got to believe that we can beat them and the guys really do. They know their capabilities and now we just have to go out there and execute on Sunday."

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By Megan S. Kelley
Wisconsin Athletic Communications

Tennis Match Results
Penn State University vs Wisconsin
Apr 23, 2010 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium
(Madison, Wis)

#27 Wisconsin 6, #75 Penn State University 1

Singles competition
1. #28 Marek Michalicka (WIS) def. #108 Eddie Bourchier (PSU) 7-5, 7-5
2. #19 Moritz Baumann (WIS) def. Ryan Gormley (PSU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Patrick Pohlmann (WIS) def. Warren Hardie (PSU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Chris Freeman (WIS) def. Bryan Welnetz (PSU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Billy Bertha (WIS) def. Taylor Cohen (PSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Guillaume St-Maurice (PSU) def. Ricardo Martin (WIS) 6-4, 5-7, 10-5

Doubles competition
1. Eddie Bourchier/Guillaume St-Maurice (PSU) def. #16 Moritz Baumann/Marek Michalicka (WIS) 8-7 (7-3)
2. Luke Rassow-Kantor/Chris Freeman (WIS) def. Taylor Cohen/Ryan Gormley (PSU) 8-2
3. Michael Dierberger/Patrick Pohlmann (WIS) def. C.J. Griffin/Warren Hardie (PSU) 8-4

Match Notes:
Penn State University 14-9; National ranking #75
Wisconsin 17-6; National ranking #27
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,2,4,5,1,6)