Michigan State University
Yonex Spartan Cup
Jessica Baron Clinches "B" Flight Singles Championship
9/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 25, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Spartan Cup Complete Results
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The Michigan State women's tennis team completed play on Sunday (Sept. 25) at The Yonex Spartan Cup. Junior Jessica Baron (Miami, Fla.) was named the "B" Flight Singles Champion. Baron's win marks the second year in a row a Spartan will hold the title of "B" Flight Singles Champion.
In the "B" flight singles championship first set, Baron edged ahead of Louisville's Suzanne Gracanin, 5-4, to take the lead for the first time in the set. In an intense match-up, Baron squeezed by Gracanin to take the set 7-5.
"It was a really close first set," commented Baron. "When I was down 4-3 I knew I had to come back and give it everything I had. I knew that once I got that first set it was a question of staying steady and hitting the right shots at the right time."
Last year's "B" Flight Singles Champion was MSU junior Sarah Andrews (Darwin, Australia), who competed in the "A" flight singles this year.
In the second set, Gracanin scored first, but Baron was quick to score and went up 2-1. Baron held her lead throughout the match before taking the set 6-2.
"Jessica is a player that has a lot of potential and she is starting to uncover that," said head coach Tim Bauer. "She should be very proud of her performance this weekend."
In the "A" flight singles championship, sophomore Christine Bader (Okemos, Mich.) took a quick 2-0 lead over Louisville's Maria Klokotzky, but after two ties in the set, Klokotzky pulled ahead to take the set, 6-3. In the second set, Bader again, took an early lead at 3-0 as Klokozky tied it up 3-3. Although Bader stayed competitive, Klokozky stole the set, 6-3, and was named the "A" flight singles champion.
"I tired to stay calm throughout my match," said Bader. "I was nervous and got a little low in the second set. The experience gives me more confidence for the future matches, especially for next weekend at Michigan."
"I think Christine is going to develop into one of the top players in the country," said Bauer. "Although she has some things to work on, she is showing signs of great potential."
Cincinnati's Jill Kluck defeated junior Pascale Schnitzer (Santiago, Chile) in the "A" flight consolation final, 6-4, 6-2.
All Spartans were contending in their first collegiate tournament finals.
"Our team did a great job of really coming together and supporting each other," said Bauer. "The fall season is a process and we have a good idea on what we are going to be working on. Next week will be another learning experience.
"I am really proud and impressed with our three freshmen. I think they are going to develop tremendously. I am very positive about how much of a team atmosphere we're going to have this year."
The Spartans will return to action on Friday (Sept. 30) as they travel to Ann Arbor for the Wolverine Invitational.
The Yonex Spartan Cup 2005 Winners
Doubles Champions
Maria Klokotzky and Robyn White - Louisville
"A" Flight Champion
Maria Klokotzky - Louisville
"A" Flight Consolation Champion
Jill Kluck - Cincinnati
"B" Flight Singles Champion
Jessica Baron - Michigan State
"B" Flight Singles Consolation Champion
Jenny Rowen by default - Cincinnati
Players Mentioned
