Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

Michigan State Tennis Team Exits NCAA Tournament After Defeat

Tennis players competing in a college tournament on a cloudy day.

News Summary

The Michigan State University men’s tennis team suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat to No. 12 Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, ending their season with a record of 17-10. After a strong performance against North Alabama in the first round, the Spartans were unable to overcome the Bulldogs, who advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals. Notably, Max Sheldon achieved a program milestone with 170 combined career wins despite the loss.

Starkville, Mississippi – The Michigan State University men’s tennis team faced a tough defeat against No. 12 Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on May 3, 2025. The final score was Mississippi State 4, Michigan State 0, which ended the Spartans’ season in the second round of the tournament for the second consecutive year.

After overcoming North Alabama in the first round of the tournament, Michigan State finished the season with an overall record of 17-10. This year’s NCAA tournament marked only the Spartans’ third appearance in the program’s history. Meanwhile, Mississippi State advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals, holding a commendable record of 23-5.

The match began after facing a lengthy weather delay, which postponed the start of the competition. It featured a competitive doubles battle, where teams fought hard on all three courts for dominance. The Bulldogs initially secured the doubles point with a victory from Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez over MSU’s Ozan Baris and Matthew Forbes, with a score of 6-4.

However, the Spartans rallied on the doubles courts, as Max Sheldon and Mitchell Sheldon managed to tie the score with a victory at No. 3 doubles, defeating their opponents in a tiebreak at 7-6 (4). Notably, Max Sheldon’s victory contributed to his record-setting total of 170 combined wins for his collegiate career, establishing a new program benchmark.

In singles play, Mississippi State maintained their momentum. Dusan Milanovic logged a decisive win over Matthew Forbes with a score of 6-3, 6-2, further placing pressure on Michigan State. The Bulldogs continued their strong performance as Bryan Hernandez Cortes claimed victory against Mitchell Sheldon, concluding his match with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

The final match to determine the fate of Michigan State came down to Max Sheldon and Niccolo Baroni. Sheldon, after struggling in the first set and losing 6-1, staged a comeback to claim the second set 6-4. However, Baroni ultimately secured the final set 6-3, clinching the match for Mississippi State.

The coaching dynamics of the match were underscored by the fact that Mississippi State’s head coach, Matt Roberts, is a former assistant coach at Michigan State from 2009 to 2012. This adds a layer of familiarity and competitiveness to the matchup, showcasing the interconnected nature of collegiate athletics.

With this season-ending defeat, Michigan State will look to regroup and build on their experiences in the coming years, while Mississippi State continues their quest for NCAA tournament glory.