Talent from Mississippi who redshirted in 2000 and has played in 91 total matches after three-plus years of competition, 44 of them coming during the last two semesters as his playing time for the Bulldogs has increased...Claimed his first career collegiate title during the fall...Possesses a strong backhand stroke and is just a good all-court player, especially from the baseline...Possesses an easy-going mentality that adds a solid chemistry to the team...Very talented physically and technically.
2003-04 (SENIOR):
Has had the best start to any season of his career this year.
FALL--Nearly posted as many singles victories during the semester as he had totalled in his first three seasons as a Bulldog, notching a 7-5 record, including his first career title...Was also 3-5 in doubles during the term...Started the autumn by reaching the round of 16 of Division III at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships (Athens, GA)...Ended fall competition by winning the Division B crown at the Ragin' Cajun Classic (Lafayette, LA)...Also teamed with Max Fomine to advance to the quarterfinals of Division II doubles at the Southern Intercollegiate tournament.
2002-03 (JUNIOR):
Broke into the MSU lineup for first time during his career, making the lineup card for the Bulldogs in either singles or doubles 15 times...An Academic all-SEC selection as well.
FALL--Managed just two wins during the term, both coming in doubles action...Was 0-9 in singles, 2-4 in doubles...Competed in five tournaments during the semester...Teamed with Max Fomine for a victory in the Omni Hotels Region III Indoor Championships (Lexington, KY)...Paired with Jerome Le Belicard to make the semifinals of the Ragin' Cajun Classic (Lafayette, LA).
SPRING--Saw the first dual match action of his career, playing in 13 team singles matches and eight in doubles...Was 1-12 in singles and 1-7 in doubles...His two victories came in State's win over in-state rival Southern Miss, the singles triumph proving to be the match-clincher.
2001-02 (SOPHOMORE):
A broken arm following the fall season kept him out of spring competition...Played only 19 matches during the year, all during the fall.
FALL--Had a tough semester, tallying just a 1-9 overall record in singles...Reached the round of 16 of Division III consolation at the Southern Collegiate Championships (Athens, GA) to open the semester...Did play in the qualifying rounds of both of college's majors during the term...Also played in Flight 5 for MSU at the Bulldog Scramble (Athens, GA)...Made the semifinals of Division B at the Ole Miss Fall Classic (Oxford, MS) to end the fall...Also teamed with Rene-Charles Combette to win the only doubles match the duo played at the Ole Miss event.
SPRING--Did not compete due to the broken arm...Was primed to be a factor in MSU's lineup, particularly in doubles.
2000-01 (FRESHMAN):
5-5 overall in singles during his first season of collegiate competition...Also 1-2 in limited doubles action.
FALL--Saw the first action of his college career, playing in four tournaments during the autumn term...Was a Flight C semifinalist at the Middle Tennessee Fall Invitational (Murfreesboro, TN)...Also managed a quarterfinal-round showing in Division IV at the Southern Collegiate Championships (Athens, GA)...Was also a prequalifying entrant in the ITA All-American Hardcourt Championships (Stone Mountain, GA)...Teamed with Max Fomine for a win at the On The Border Challenge (Athens, GA) to open the semester's action.
SPRING--Did not see action in any dual matches.
1999-2000:
Redshirted during his true freshman season.
PRE-MSU:
A former standout at Jackson [Miss.] Academy...Was the team's Most Valuable Player in 1997 and 1998...His squad went undefeated in match play from 1995-99...Team was South State, State and Overall champion from 1997-99.
PERSONAL:
Matt Allen Armstrong was born August 7, 1980, in Jackson, Mississippi...The son of Jim and Sharon Armstrong...Likes the play of tennis pros Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg...Enjoys playing basketball, working out and just being active...A member of Sigma Chi fraternity...Working towards a double major in banking & finance and real estate at State.
ARMSTRONG'S CAREER SINGLES STATS
Season #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Dual SEC Overall Pct.
Fall 2003 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7-5 .583
2002-03 -- -- -- -- 1-6 0-6 1-12 0-5 2-22 .083
2001-02 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1-9 .100
2000-01 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5-5 .500
TOTALS -- -- -- -- 1-6 0-6 1-12 0-5 15-41 .268
ARMSTRONG'S CAREER DOUBLES STATS
Season #1 #2 #3 Dual SEC Overall Pct.
Fall 2003 -- -- -- -- -- 3-5 .375
2002-03 -- -- 1-7 1-7 0-1 3-12 .200
2001-02 -- -- -- -- -- 3-6 .333
2000-01 -- -- -- -- -- 1-2 .333
TOTALS -- -- 1-7 1-7 0-1 10-25 .333
