Michigan State University
No. 63 Minnesota
No. 44 Spartans Rally to Down No. 63 Gophers
3/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 44 Michigan State Spartans are off to their best start in Big Ten history. The Spartans improved to 15-2 and 4-0 in the Big Ten with the 4-3 victory over No. 63 Minnesota. Michigan State came back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits. This is the third win over a ranked team and the fourth come-from-behind win.
"I am really proud of the girls," said head coach Simone Jardim. "They showed a lot of grit and toughness today. The team has a never die attitude and it is now on to the next one against Illinois."
The Gophers started the day taking a 2-0 lead with taking the doubles and at No. 6 singles.
Senior Catherine Parenteau struck first for the Spartans at No. 4 singles, Parenteau defeated Maja Vujic, 6-3, 6-1, to improve to 9-5 on the season.
Sophomore Erin Faulkner notched her second singles victory of the weekend at No. 1 singles. Faulkner defeated Tereza Brichacova, 6-4, 6-3.Faulkner is 18-10 in singles this season.
Minnesota pushed the Spartans to the brink with a win at No. 5 singles.
Freshman Aslina Chua tied the match with a win at No. 3 singles. Chua defeated Jessika Mozia 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Chua improves to 18-9 in singles.
Freshman Lexi Baylis clinched the match in dramatic fashion with a 6-4, 7-6 (7) victory over Caroline Reba. Baylis won the second set tiebreaker 9-7 to win the match. She tied the school record for singles victories in a year with 27.
The Spartans return to action on Saturday as they host Illinois on Saturday at noon and Northwestern on Sunday at 11 a.m. for senior day.
Players Mentioned
