Michigan State rallied after losing doubles and advanced to the NCAA second round, ending North Carolina’s season in the first round.
A rain delay couldn’t slow Michigan State’s momentum as the Spartans rallied to beat North Carolina 4-1 in the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament first round.
The match at the Carolina Outdoor Tennis Center in Columbia. South Carolina began with uncertainty as courts were cleared for weather and the schedule paused for more than two hours.. When play resumed, North Carolina struck first in doubles, taking the point with wins on courts two and three.. Even so, the Spartans refused to be shaken, regrouping quickly as singles play turned into the deciding stretch.
Here’s the key: in high-stakes tournament tennis, losing doubles is often survivable, but failing to respond in singles is not. Michigan State’s turnaround is a reminder that depth and adaptability can matter as much as early control.
In singles, Michigan State seized the initiative and tied the match after a decisive result at the top spot.. From there. the Spartans built a lead that North Carolina couldn’t fully unwind. as wins on additional courts pushed the score to 2-1 and then beyond reach.. North Carolina did earn contributions during the run. but the momentum stayed with the Spartans as they captured the remaining necessary singles victories.
The outcome sent Michigan State into Saturday’s second round, with the program improving to 19-8 for the season. North Carolina’s run ended at 15-12, closing the chapter on a team that reached this stage for the majority of its recent NCAA appearances.
This matters beyond the scoreline because tournament tennis rewards teams that can absorb early setbacks, especially after disruptions like rain delays. A first-round performance like this can shape confidence going into the next match.
Michigan State entered the tournament as Big Ten champions and ranked No.. 16 in the weekly ITA standings, while North Carolina carried a much lower ITA position entering the match.. Yet the Spartans delivered when it counted. turning a doubles deficit into a clean path forward by closing out singles on multiple courts.
By the time the match concluded, Michigan State had done more than advance. It demonstrated the kind of team resilience that often separates early exits from extended NCAA runs, even when the day begins under gray skies.