Lansing Sun

In the second season under Harry Jadun, Michigan State Men’s Tennis and its 11 student-athletes achieved unprecedented milestones.

The team concluded its most successful season with a historic 23rd win, marking the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. Ozan Baris, Jadun’s first recruit and Michigan State’s first Big Ten Men’s Tennis Player of the Year, advanced to the NCAA Singles Championships semifinal. In June, Baris became the first MSU athlete to win the George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year award.

These highlights were part of a season filled with numerous program firsts. The Spartans began their season in September with singles and doubles tournaments, achieving instant success by winning their first National Title.

Max Sheldon and Ozan Baris won the ITA Fall National Championship for doubles on November 5. This period also saw:

- Most total ranked wins in a fall season (20) and most over top-25 opponents (7)

- Most ranked singles wins in a fall season (15 between four players)

- First time three different pairings won three significant doubles titles in one fall

- First time having multiple entrants in the ITA Fall National Championships

- First time having a singles entrant in the ITA Fall National Championships

With these achievements, MSU received nation-leading ITA preseason rankings as they entered dual matches in January:

- First time leading the nation in total ITA-ranked players

- First time with more than one player ranked in ITA singles/doubles rankings

- First time having an ITA top-15 ranked player

- First time having the nation’s top-ranked doubles pairing

- First time having a player highest ranked in both singles and doubles within Big Ten

The team started strong with non-conference victories:

- Most consecutive wins to start a season in 64 years (12)

- Most consecutive matches won by multiple points (11)

- First time with multiple top-25 road wins

Ranked inside ITA's top 40 for the first time, they reached No. 15 nationally on February 27. During Big Ten play:

- Best start to a conference season in 56 years (6–0)

- Most Big Ten regular-season wins in 56 years (7)

- Multiple 7–0 sweeps since switching to best-of-seven format

On April 6, Michigan State secured its record-breaking 19th win against Purdue. The postseason saw Sparty achieve their 23rd win by sweeping Denver and Baris advancing to NCAA Singles Championships semifinal.

Awards followed:

- Big Ten Player of the Year (Baris)

- Back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards

- Most consecutive weeks ranked in top 25 as a team

- Three players on All-Big Ten teams

- Three players selected for NCAA Championships for singles and doubles

- Best regional team ranking (ITA No. 2 Midwest)

As Jadun prepares for his third year, questions arise about how many more records will be broken.