SDSU faces Big East, Big Ten Opponents

BROOKINGS, S.D.—The South Dakota State men's tennis team will be looking for its first win of the season this weekend when it meets Marquette and Wisconsin. The Jackrabbits have a 2 p.m. match Friday with the Golden Eagles at the Helfaer Tennis Stadium in Milwaukee, Wis., before meeting the Badgers at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, Wis.

"This weekend is another huge opportunity for the men's team. The last time out, the guys proved they want to be a team of hard-working competitors who don't back down from any challenge," sixth-year head coach Michael Engdahl said. "If we bring that same mentality this weekend, we are going to be a tough team for anyone to deal with. I don't remember having a tougher schedule to start the season and we are definitely making the most of it. We have had a great two weeks of practice and I can't wait to see how we step up and compete this weekend."

The Jackrabbits are coming off a pair of losses. They fell 5-2 to DePaul Jan. 15 and 7-0 to then-No. 23 Minnesota Jan. 16.

Senior Lovro Curcija, The Summit League Men's Tennis Player of the Week Jan. 19, secured his first win at No. 1 singles with a 7-6, 6-2 win over the Blue Demons' Alex Galoustian, a 2015 All-BIG EAST pick and Freshman of the Year. Classmate Henrique Pereira also picked up a win, defeating Paul John, 6-4, 6-5 at No. 5 singles.

SDSU will be looking for its first doubles point after coming close vs. DePaul in two of the three matches.

Marquette opened the season with a 5-2 win over Summit League member IUPUI Jan. 23. Last season, the Golden Eagles finished 14-10 overall and ended their season in the BIG EAST championship match, falling 4-2 to St. John's. MU returns seven letterwinners, including multiple players with singles and doubles experience.

Wisconsin also opened its season win a win, defeating Northern Illinois, 5-2, Jan. 22. The Badgers return eight letterwinners from the 2014-15 season when they went 7-18 overall.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Lovro Curcija

Henrique Pereira

Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Denver on April 22, 2018 , Loss , 0, to, 7

Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Oral Roberts on April 21, 2018 , Loss , 2, to, 5

Completed Event: Men's Tennis at Augustana on April 20, 2018 , Win , 5, to, 2

Completed Event: Men's Tennis at Omaha on April 15, 2018 , Loss , 2, to, 5

Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Illinois State on April 7, 2018 , Loss , 0, to, 7

Completed Event: Men's Tennis at Valparaiso on April 6, 2018 , Loss , 2, to, 5

South Dakota State University Athletics