Michigan State University
University of Toledo
MSU Women’s Tennis Opens Home Slate
2/8/2024 4:33:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State women's tennis team is set to begin a six-match homestand this weekend with the home opener against Toledo on Friday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. MSU will then play a doubleheader against in-state rivals Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 11. The Spartans face off against WMU first at 12 p.m. then close out against EMU at 4 p.m.
HEAD COACH KIM BRUNO
"We are excited to play at home in front of our loyal supporters," said Michigan State head coach Kim Bruno. "We look to continue building on our success from last weekend. I anticipate a fun and fiery performance from our Spartan women that everyone can be proud of."
SWAPPING GREENS
Graduate Nicole Conard transferred to Michigan State in the 2022-23 season from Dartmouth University. Switching from the Big Green to Spartan Green, Conard returned to her old stomping grounds when MSU defeated Dartmouth 6-1 on Feb. 4. The Boca Raton, Florida, native contributed to the commanding victory as she teamed with senior Ayshe Can on the first double courts. It was the first time Conard and Can paired together in their careers en route to a 6-2 victory over the Big Green tandem of Brooke Hess and Lexi Dewire.
LAST MATCH OUT
Michigan State returns to action following a dominant 6-2 victory last weekend against Dartmouth in New Hampshire. MSU utilized doubles sweep from the duos of Conard and Can, as well as sophomore Issey Purser and freshman Ria Bhakta. The sweeping continued over to the singles court with Can, Bhakta and Liisa Vehvilainen ending their matches in two sets to improve the Spartans to 2-2.
SCOUTING TOLEDO
At the helm of the Rockets is Tracy Mauntler, who is in her 21st season. Coming into the season, Mauntler accumulated 244 victories. Toledo enters the week with a 3-1 overall record. The Rockets are on a two-match winning streak after they took down Cleveland State (5-2) on February 2 and UIC (6-1) on February 4. Their lone loss came in a tight battle to Xaiver (4-3) on January 27. Cassie Alcala leads the team in wins on both the single and doubles courts, she is 4-0 in singles play, all four has come from the first court. In doubles competition Alcala boast a 3-1 record along with her partner Gaby Rondon.
SERIES HISTORY VS TOLEDO
This will be the 23rd all-time meeting between these programs with the Green and White leading the series with a perfect 22-0.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos are led by interim head coach Jimmy Beckwith. With a 4-1 overall record, WMU is on a three-match winning streak with victories over Duquesne (4-0) on Jan. 26, Saint Francis (4-1) on Jan. 27 and Chicago State (5-2) on Feb. 4.
SERIES HISTORY VS WESTERN MICHIGAN
In what will be the 40th all-time meeting between the Spartans and the Broncos, this is the first meeting since Feb. 24, 2017, when Michigan State took down WMU 6-1. The Spartans leads the series 28-11.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles are led by first year head coach Ryan Kucera and has boasted a 4-1 overall record through five matches. Eastern Michigan has a weekend slate as it faces Oakland on Saturday, Feb. 10 before heading to East Lansing on Sunday, Feb. 11. If the Eagles win both matches, they will match their 2022-23 season win total of six. A trio of Eagles: Linda Eloundou, Andrea Quiroz and Ksyusha Saenko each boasts a team best, 4-1 dual record.
SERIES HISTORY VS EASTERN MICHIGAN
Heading into Sunday, it will be the 52 all-time meeting between these two teams in favor of Michigan State owning the advantage 41-6. The Spartans has won the last 14-straight meetings. The last time the Eagles defeated MSU was back in 2004, 4-3.
Players Mentioned
