Spartans Head East to Close Out The Regular Season

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team concludes the regular season this weekend with an East Coast road trip to take on conference opponents Maryland and Rutgers. MSU will face Maryland on Friday, April 12, at 2 p.m. and close the regular season against Rutgers the following day, at 11 a.m.

"These two matches are just as important as any of the other ones we've played," MSU head coach Kim Bruno said. "That win (over Northwestern) has really been waiting in the wings for a long time. We're reaching our potential at the right time. We have to keep after it, keep getting to work and we should be good going into the weekend."

The Terrapins lead the all-time series, 2-1, while the Spartans look to stay undefeated against Rutgers, as they lead the all-time series 4-0.

Michigan State is now 13-10 on the season and 4-5 in Big Ten matches. The team currently sits seventh in the Big Ten standings, while Rutgers (9-8, 1-6 B1G) and Maryland (3-14, 1-6 B1G) sit 12th and 13th, respectively.

Last time out, the Spartans upset No. 25-ranked Northwestern, 4-3, on the road in Evanston, Ill. This historic victory was the Spartans second-ever win over the Wildcats in program history and the first win over the conference foe since April 1977.

Freshman Lauren Lemonds clinched the match with an upset victory over No. 37 Clarissa Hand, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, at No. 2 singles.

The duo of junior Samantha Memije and freshman Nicole Stephens won both matches last weekend at No. 2 doubles versus duos from Illinois and Northwestern, bringing their season doubles record to 10-7.

Senior Davina Nguyen is one doubles win away from becoming the winningest doubles player in program history. She is currently tied for first at 67 career doubles wins with Sarah Andrews (2003-07). Nguyen is also the second winningest overall player with 139 career wins.

In singles play, four Spartans hold double-digit wins during dual season, led by Stephens with 13 wins. Stephens is followed by Nguyen with 12 wins and freshman Maja Pietrowicz and Memije with 10 wins each.

Upon the conclusion of the regular season, the 2019 Women's Tennis Big Ten Tournament takes place from Thursday, April 25 to Sunday, April 28, in Lincoln, Nebraska and will be hosted by the University of Nebraska. The top 10 in the Big Ten standings will earn a spot in the tournament.