News Summary
In a thrilling matchup at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Starkville, Mississippi, Pepperdine’s men’s tennis team faced off against the #9 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite a strong start by Pepperdine in doubles, Mississippi State surged in singles play, clinching the match and extending their winning streak. The Waves ended the contest with a record of 1-2 for the season. This encounter marked the first meeting between the teams in two decades, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
Starkville, Mississippi: Tennis Drama Unfolds as Pepperdine’s Upset Bid Falls Short
On January 25, 2025, tennis fans gathered at the Rula Tennis Pavilion in Starkville, Mississippi, to watch a thrilling match during the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Pepperdine men’s tennis team found themselves facing a tough opponent, the #9 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs, in what turned out to be an electrifying contest.
A Promising Start for Pepperdine
The day began with an exciting doubles showdown, and Pepperdine was off to a fantastic start. The dynamic duo of Maxi Homberg and Linus Carlsson Halldin showcased their skills with a stunning victory over Mississippi State’s #20 ranked pair Niccolo Baroni and Mario Martinez Serrano, clinching the set with a decisive score of 6-1. This win set an optimistic tone for the Waves, as they secured the crucial doubles point.
Building on this momentum, Aleksa Pisaric and Lasse Poertner stepped up to seal the doubles point, defeating Dusan Milanovic and Michal Novansky with a score of 6-3. With these early successes, things were looking bright for Pepperdine, leading the doubles action 1-0. But it wouldn’t be long before the tides began to turn in this fierce competition.
Mississippi State Shifts Gears
As the singles matches kicked off, the energy in the arena changed dramatically. The Bulldogs from Mississippi State came roaring back, winning four of the first sets with remarkable tenacity. It was clear that they were not ready to let their guard down after witnessing Pepperdine’s early triumph.
First up in singles was Petar Jovanovic, who battled Edward Winter from Pepperdine. Jovanovic proved to be a force to be reckoned with, taking the match in two sets with a tight score of 7-6 (3), 6-3. Things continued to go downhill for the Waves as Benito Sanchez Martinez took on Pepperdine’s #36 ranked Maxi Homberg. After a competitive first set, Sanchez turned the momentum in his favor, winning the match with scores of 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
It didn’t stop there—Lasse Poertner met Mississippi State’s #72 Niccolo Baroni next, taking a tough loss with a final score of 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. As if that wasn’t enough, Alejandro Pisaric found himself up against #81 Mario Martinez Serrano, who tossed him aside with scores of 7-6 (3), 6-3. With Sanchez Martinez’s victory, the match was officially clinched for Mississippi State, leaving several other matches still ongoing in intense third sets.
A Learning Experience for the Waves
Despite the loss, Pepperdine ended the match with a record of 1-2 for the season, while Mississippi State celebrated their sixth consecutive win, boasting a perfect record of 6-0. As the spectators reflected on the results, it was clear that Pepperdine brought their best to the court, though it just wasn’t enough to overcome Mississippi State’s strong resurgence in singles play.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, both teams were gearing up for their next challenges. The Bulldogs prepared to face off against #22 NC State the very next day, aiming for a chance to advance to the prestigious ITA National Team Indoor Championships. On the flip side, the Waves were set to take on LSU early the following morning at 8 a.m. PT, hopeful for a much-needed victory to bounce back from this heart-wrenching match.
This matchup marked the first meeting between Mississippi State and Pepperdine since 2003, and Mississippi State now leads the all-time series with an edge of 3-2. As the dust settles from this gripping encounter, both teams will look to learn and grow from the experience, setting the stage for an exciting rest of the season.
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Additional Resources
- Hail State: No. 9 MSU Rallies Past Pepperdine 4-1
- Pepperdine Waves: Takes Doubles Point, Falls 4-1 at No. 9 Mississippi State
- NC State Pack: No. 22 Men’s Tennis Travels to ITA Kickoff
- Wikipedia: Tennis
- Google Search: ITA Kickoff Weekend
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
