Michigan State University
Xavier University
Women's Tennis Victorious Over Xavier, 5-2
2/18/2024 3:46:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Despite an early 2-0 deficit, Michigan State women's tennis dominated singles for five unanswered points to guide itself to a 5-2 victory over visiting Xavier on Sunday afternoon inside the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
With the victory, the Spartans have won five of their last six duals and improve to 6-3 overall. The Muskateers drop to 6-3.
"I think we showed in doubles we were nervous and some things didn't play as good as we would've liked," said MSU head coach Kim Bruno. "I think it was the best thing that could've happened to them, when we're down we're not out. These girls showed they can keep fighting and find ways to win. I'm really proud of them."
On the doubles court, the Muskateers would take the doubles point on court one with Anna Roggenburk and Imani Graham took down senior Ayshe Can and graduate Nicole Conard 6-3. Xavier tandem of Emily Flowers and Sofia Mazzucato secured the doubles point in a back-and-forth battle against sophomore Matilde Morais and junior Liisa Vehvilainen on court three. The Green and White duo would battle back from a 0-2 deficit to take a 5-4 lead but would drop the next three sets to fall, 7-5.
The Spartan pairing of sophomore Issey Purser and freshman Ria Bhakta cruised their way over Abby Nugent and Ellie Brotherton 6-1 to finish first on court two.
Xavier looked to keep the winning going over on the singles court as Sofia Mazzucato swept sophomore Issey Purser 7-5, 6-3 on court five.
From there, it was all Michigan State as it took the next five courts. Can would give the Spartans their first point of the day as she got revenge over Roggenburk in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 on court two. Freshman and team leader with five singles victories, Ria Bhakta on court four dished out a 6-4, 6-3 sweep to tie the score 2-2. Bhakta is a perfect 3-0 on court four.
Michigan State would lock the victory moments later with victories from freshman Natalie Stasny 6-4, 7-5 on court six and Vehvilainen 6-3, 7-6 [7-3] on court three. Out on court one for the Spartans was sophomore Matilde Morais who faced Imani Graham in the lone court that went to three sets. The Cascais, Portugal, native edged out the victory 6-4 to end the day for the Green and White.
The Spartans will close out their six-match homestand when they face Columbia on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1,3
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
5,2,4,6,3,1
Players Mentioned
