Travis KriensSportswriter

The South Dakota State men’s tennis team kicked off their 2011 spring season with an 8-1 rout at the University of Sioux Falls Friday night.

In No. 2 singles, Jamie Dash defeated Austin Delange 6-2, 6-2, while Carl Lundberg won his No. 3 singles match in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. Dash and Lundberg teamed in No. 2 doubles to win 8-2.

No. 4 Chris Baron (6-0, 6-2), No. 5 James Thorp (6-2, 6-0) and No. 6 Dominic Rossetto (6-0, 6-0) each won in straight sets.

“The men’s team showed the results of the hard work that they put in over the winter and they came in well prepared,” said head coach Don Hanson.

“Our two recruits (Baron and Lundberg), played extremely well, so we are looking forward to a really good season.”

Assistant coach Michael Engdahl went on to say that this year could be a turning point in SDSU tennis.

“We think this is the year that we step up in the Summit League and really start doing some damage.” Chris (from Ontario) and Carl (Sweden) slingshotted us forward because talent wise, they bring depth. We can compete with anybody one through six and we are as solid as they come in the Summit League in doubles.

“They bring new energy with their match experience pre-college. They are not intimidated.”

In No.1 doubles action, Rossetto and Thorp won 8-3 and the No.3 team of Justin Pyle and Baron were victorious 8-1.

“This opening match of the season showed the great depth that we have this season,” said SDSU head coach Don Hanson. “We are solid from one through six.”

The women were also scheduled to open this spring season at USF on Saturday night, but it was postponed due to the weather. There’s a strong possibility that it will be made up later in the season.

The SDSU men and women take the court again this Saturday, Feb. 12 at Creighton down in Omaha at 7 p.m. “This is probably the most important match in the 11 years that I have been here,” said Hanson. A match like this so early in the season shouldn’t be so important, but it’s important for us to go down to Creighton and do well. They are a good measuring stick.”