Women's Tennis Closes Regular Season This Weekend
4/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 22, 2004
The Michigan State women's tennis team will host No. 50 Wisconsin (12-9 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) on Saturday (April 24) and close its Big Ten season against No. 10 Northwestern (18-4, 7-1) on Sunday (April 25). Matches will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at either the indoor or outdoor tennis courts pending weather.
Breaking Records
The Spartans recorded their third Big Ten victory this past weekend, beating nationally-ranked No. 58 Purdue, 4-3. Shelley Brady was unable to compete due to an injury, which opened a spot for Marta Walasek. Saturday marked the sophomore's first career start for the Spartans.
Saturday's win over the Boilermakers marked MSU's first win of the season over a nationally-ranked team and matched the most Big Ten wins for a Spartan team since the 1993 season.
State split the weekend 1-1 as No. 17 Illinois defeated the Spartans, 7-0.
Watching Wisconsin
The Badgers enter Saturday's match with a five-match winning streak, as they have defeated Penn State, No. 54 Ohio State, Minnesota, No. 39 Iowa and No. 61 Purdue.
Wisconsin posts its biggest threat in the singles game with nationally-ranked No. 75 Katie McGaffigan.
Knowing Northwestern
The Wildcats, who hold the highest national ranking out of the Big Ten at No. 10, will be a tough match for the Spartans. Currently Northwestern stands as the No. 2 team in the Big Ten behind Illinois.
Northwestern was running on a six match-winning streak since April 4 when No. 16 Illinois handed NU its first loss since Feb. 22. Even with the loss, the Wildcats have refused to settle down again as they've won every match since. Of their last 11 matches, the Wildcats have won 10, and eight of those were against ranked opponents including: No. 54 Ohio State, No. 27 Notre Dame, No. 39 Iowa, No. 61 Purdue, No. 9 Washington, No. 50 Wisconsin and No. 35 Indiana.
Northwestern carries two nationally-ranked singles players on its roster: No. 2 Cristelle Grier and No. 47 Jessica Rush. Combined the pair makes up the No. 3 doubles team in the nation.
Last Call
This weekend will be the last regular season matches for senior Caroline Lay. Lay has played a key role for the women's tennis team since her arrival in 2000.
"Caroline is the type of player that opposing coaches wish they could steal for their own team, and I think that says everything," said head coach Tim Bauer. "She has great talent in both singles and doubles that will be sorely missed. Caroline Lay is a major part of the solid foundation we now have. Few people are part of such a transformation and Caroline will leave a legacy of enthusiasm and determination. We hope we can finish on a high note for her."
For the fall season in 2003, Caroline raked up some great accomplishments. As the"A" singles flight consolation champion at the Bronco Invitational, Lay went on to win three of four matches along with teammate Sarah Andrews to take home the doubles third place spot at the Wolverine Cup. Lay was also the "A" singles flight Champion at the Spartan Cup after not dropping a single set. She was also invited to compete at ITA Midwest Championship in the singles main draw and in doubles.
Where Do We Stand?
With a record of 8-11 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten, the Spartans are tied for 7th place in the league with nationally-ranked No. 54 Ohio State entering this weekend's matches.
This year the Spartans accomplished what they set out to do: win matches in the Big Ten. As they continued to battle through a tough nationally-ranked schedule, the Spartans were able to defeat Penn State, Minnesota and No. 58 Purdue.
Season Wrap Up from Coach Bauer
"Our team has worked hard all season and accomplished many goals. We are looking forward to finishing this season on a high note. I think we can surprise a few more teams this weekend.
"I am very proud of our team. They have grown and taken responsibility for the fate of the program. We have worked tirelessly to reach this point, and I feel we have passed through the most difficult part of building a tradition of excellence.
Ranked Teams
State has played eight nationally-ranked teams this season including No. 12 Vanderbilt, No. 31 Virginia, No. 54 Florida State, No.19 Michigan, No. 52 Ohio State, No. 35 Iowa, No. 58 Purdue and No. 17 Illinois.
Players Mentioned
