Michigan State University
Louisville
MSU Women's Tennis Splits Saturday Doubleheader
1/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 26, 2008
MSU vs. Morehead State Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team played host to the No. 75 Louisville Cardinals and the Morehead State Eagles at the MSU Indoor Facility in East Lansing on Saturday. The Spartans played a close match against Louisville, but the Cardinals were too much to overcome as they defeated the Spartans, 5-2. MSU rebounded in its second dual of the day, as it came back to crush Morehead State, 7-0.
The Cardinals started off tough against the Spartans as they swept the doubles competition, 8-4, 8-6, 8-6, taking the first point of the match. MSU kept its focus entering the singles flights, as No. 1 Christine Bader came out and defeated Louisville's Lauren Imre, 6-4, 7-5. Manon Noe also made a statement at No. 2 singles, coming out on fire and taking the first set, 6-1. Louisville's Lindsey Jones battled back in the second frame, but the freshman Noe kept her composure and finished off her opponent, 6-1, 7-5. Lindsey Lonergan had a hard fought match at No. 3 singles, taking each set into a tiebreak, but ultimately lost to Bianca Gorbea, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). Ally Wickman, fresh off picking up her first win as a Spartan against Detroit, was defeated by Katherina Tomalak, 6-0, 1-6, 7-5.
"Losses like this are always tough to swallow," said MSU Head Coach Erica Perkins. "Losing that doubles point really hurt us. We have to take our hats off to Louisville. They came out swinging at every position and took the momentum early. I was really happy with our singles play at our top-three positions, and how they competed from the first point. Unfortunately, to beat a team like Louisville, we need to come out and play tough at each position. Once you dig a hole, it's tough to come back."
Michigan State turned the corner in the afternoon session versus Morehead State, ousting the Eagles in the doubles matches, 8-1, 8-5, 8-2. No. 1 doubles Noe and Whitney Wilson set the tone for the Spartans, defeating Alix Lakow and Madeleinne Antero, 8-1. Lonergan and Ana Milosavljevic teamed up at No. 2, downing Morehead State's Alexandra Rydberg and Catherine Butts, 8-5. In the No. 3 doubles flight, Bader and Christine Milliken took out Heather Butt and Lauren Delaney, 8-2.
In singles action against Morehead State, the Spartans dominated the Eagles allowing only four total games between 2, 3 and 5 singles, while each Spartan took out their opponent in straight sets. Noe picked up her second win of the day, defeating Delaney, 6-1, 6-1. At No. 3 singles, Lonergan made quick work of Antero, 6-0, 6-1, while Milosavljevic won her team-leading 11th singles match of the season, taking down Butts, 6-1, 6-0.
"I was happy with how our team responded after the disappointing loss to Louisville," said Perkins. "We mixed up the doubles a bit in the second match and had some fun with it. (Manon) Noe and (Whitney) Wilson looked really sharp at No. 1 doubles. In singles I thought we looked on point as well, and we put a lot more balls in the court. We've got a tough weekend ahead and it was nice to finish the day on a high note."
Michigan State next travels to North Carolina for its first road test in dual-match play this season. MSU will take on UNC-Greensboro on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m., then travel to Chapel Hill, for a showdown with the No. 12 Tar Heels on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.
Players Mentioned
