“I’m super excited with tonight’s results,” Michigan State Head Coach Gene Orlando said. “It’s great to earn a great win. It really comes down to all of the hard work that we've put in this summer and fall.”

The team is ecstatic to be back at MSU's Indoor Tennis Facility with fans for the 2022 season. It makes all the difference after a year without spectators in the bleachers.

“It’s awesome to be back with fans,” Orlando said. "You take it for granted after not having it last year."

Freshman Max Sheldon said he is excited to be back. Sheldon advanced to the ITA regional quarterfinals last season and is ready to bring his all to the team this season.

“I’m feeling confident going into this season,” Sheldon said. “We’ve gotta keep pushing. Going back to the quarterfinals and playing a lot of top guys, it makes me feel like I belong here. My mind’s giving me a good shot with every match.”

Sophomore Luke Baylis is looking forward to the upcoming season as well. Baylis was a key player towards the win as he battled throughout the tiebreakers in both two sets and won the match overall 7-6.

“I’m so pumped with tonight’s results," Baylis said. “It shows how much hard work we’ve put in this fall and spring and we totally deserved that. We put our all out there and I'm so happy with how we were competing on every single court. ... It was really fun.”

The guys will be spending the week preparing for their next match. They plan to utilize and implement what they've learned as the season progresses.

“We need to continue to keep the intensity every time, enjoy it and love it out there and compete for every point,” Baylis said.

The Spartans will host Cleveland State and IUPUI on Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Kudos to all the guys,” Orlando said. “It's a team effort ... and now we've just got to get ready for another match.”