Michigan State University
Minnesota
MSU Women's Tennis Polishes Off Minnesota, 5-2
3/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 16, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team won its first Big Ten match of the 2002 season by downing Minnesota, 5-2, Saturday (March 16) at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility in East Lansing, Mich. It also marked the Spartans' first Big Ten victory since 1999. With the win, Michigan State improved its overall record to 9-6, including a 1-2 mark in Big Ten action.
"It is rewarding win for our players as well as us coaches," said MSU assistant coach Brett Page. "It helps our players know that they can not only compete, but compete with Big Ten teams."
In doubles play, the tandem of junior ?sa Lid?n (Vandersborg, Sweden) and freshman Dora Vastag (Okemos, Mich.) won its 14th match of the season, 8-2, at flight three. Despite that win, the Spartans failed to capture the doubles point for only the fifth time this season.
In singles action, MSU won five of six matches, with three coming in straight sets. Caroline Lay (Brisbane, Australia) won a quick decision at No. 3 singles over Minnesota's Andrea Rose, 6-3, 6-2.
The Spartans built off Lay's momentum, as Mandy Caldemeyer (Grand Rapids, Mich.) won handily at the fourth flight, 6-2, 6-0, over Kandis Batiste. "I thought I played really well," Caldemeyer said. "I wanted a Big Ten victory for our team."
Kate Thomas (Long Beach, Calif.) posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 6 singles over Cici Anderson. "I just worked on performing what my coaches instructed me to do," Thomas said. "I tried to come through for the team."
Keri Thompson (Clark Lake, Mich.) was a three-set winner over Kelly Perry at No. five singles, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, while Vastag rallied from a first-set loss to Minnesota's Michaela Havelkova to post a victory at the second flight, 3-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(6), in the day's longest match.
The only loss in singles came at the top flight where Liden competed for the first time this season. Liden won the first set but lost the next two to Minnesota's Valerie Vladea (2-6, 7-6, 7-5).
The Spartans will take on the No. 32 Wisconsin Sunday, March 17 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center. The action begins at 10 a.m.
Michigan State 5, Minnesota 2Singles1 - Valerie Vladea (UM) def. ?sa Lid?n (MSU), 2-6, 7-6, 7-52 - Dora Vastag (MSU) def. Michaela Havelkova (UM), 3-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(6)3 - Caroline Lay (MSU) def. Andrea Rose (UM), 6-3, 6-24 - Mandy Caldemeyer (MSU) def. Kandis Batiste (UM), 6-2, 6-05 - Keri Thompson (MSU) def. Kelly Perry (UM), 5-7, 6-3, 7-56 - Kate Thomas (MSU) def. Cici Anderson (UM), 6-1, 6-0
Doubles1 - Vladea/Havelkova (UM) def. Thompson/Caldemeyer (MSU), 8-32 - Perry/Rose (UM) def. Lay/Juliussen (MSU), 8-33 - Lid?n/Vastag (MSU) def. Batiste/Anderson (UM), 8-2
