Michigan State University
Indiana State
Women's Tennis Defeats Indiana State on the Road
2/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 15, 2009
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The No. 67 Michigan State women's tennis team traveled to Indiana State on Sunday, Feb. 15., and defeated the Sycamores, 6-1. The Spartans were able to get out to an early start by picking up the doubles point to begin the match. Sycamores have a roster of five student-athletes, so they are forced to forfeit the No. 3 doubles and the No. 6 singles positions. The win marked the first road win on the season for the Spartans as they are now 4-3 overall on the season.
"Today, we did not only play better as a team, but we also competed harder," said Michigan State head coach Simone Jardim. "That's what we have been looking for since the beginning of the season."
In doubles play, sophomores Manon Noe (Liancort, France) and Whitney Wilson (Evansville, Ind.) were able to hold off the late surge from partners Sarah Meghoufel and Elmine Botes of Indiana State. The two Sycamores were able to rally and tie the match at six, but the Spartan tandem was able to hold off the surge, winning the match 8-6.
Wilson was able to continue her doubles success as she took the court in singles competition. At the No. 5 singles position, Wilson extended her current match win-streak to four after she defeated Aleksandra Dzakula of Indiana State, 6-1, 6-3. Also earning a win in singles play was freshman Elena Ivanova (Moscow, Russia). Ivanova was able to clinch the team win over Indiana State when she defeated Aleksandra Dzakula at the No. 3 singles position, 6-3, 6-1.
The team also received contributions from seniors Stephanie Kebler (Okemos, Mich.) and Ana Milosavljevic (Johannesburg, South Africa). After Kebler won the first set, Indiana State's Sarah Meghoufel forced the Spartan senior to a third-set super-tiebreaker. Kebler, at the No. 1 singles position, was able to hold off the Sycamore, defeating Meghoufel in the three-set thriller, 6-4, 2-6, 10-2. Garnishing a win at the No. 4 singles position was Milosavljevic, defeating Elmine Botes in quick fashion, 6-2, 6-0.
"I believe that now we are ready to compete at the level we have envisioned. I'm proud of the team and look forward to the rest of the season." Jardim added.
The Spartans return to action as they open Big Ten play when they travel to in-state rival No. 18 Michigan on Wednesday, February 18 at 4 P.M.
Doubles
1. Noe/Wilson (MSU) def. Sarah Meghoufel/Elmine Botes (ISU) 8-6
2. Morgina/Lifanova (ISU) def. No. 48 Kebler/Lonergan (MSU) 8-5
3. Ivanova/Milosavljevic (MSU) def. N/A (ISU), by default
Singles
1. Kebler, Stephanie (MSU) def. Sarah Meghoufel (ISU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-2
2. Anna Morgina (ISU) def. Noe, Manon (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Ivanova, Elena (MSU) def. Aleksandra Dzakula (ISU) 6-3, 6-1
4. Milosavljevic, Ana (MSU) def. Elmine Botes (ISU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Wilson, Whitney (MSU) def. Aleksandra Dzakula (ISU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Guentert, Dana (MSU) def. N/A (ISU), by default
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2
Players Mentioned
