May 22, 2008

TULSA, Okla. - Michigan State seniors Adam Monich and Nick Rinks fell in the first round of the NCAA Doubles Tennis Championships on Thursday afternoon at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. The Spartans were ousted by No. 34 Harvard's Ashwin Kumer and Sasha Ermakov in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.

The afternoon started rough for the senior duo as they fell behind early in the first set, 3-0. They won game four, but were then dropped in three-straight games as they lost the first frame, 6-1. Rinks and Monich looked poised for a second-set comeback, jumping out to a quick 2-1 lead, but the Crimson pair fought back, bringing the set to a 4-4 tie. Kumer and Ermakov finished it shortly after with two quick wins, ending the Spartans' season.

Currently ranked No. 23 in the nation, Rinks and Monich ended the year with a 14-4 record in doubles, while posting a perfect 11-0 mark at No. 1 doubles in dual-match play.

The combo of Rinks and Monich finish their careers at Michigan State with a 40-23 record.