Lansing Sun

Michigan State women's tennis team began their spring season with a match against Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington. The Spartans faced off at the Stevens Center on Friday night, starting with doubles matches.

The Spartan pairings included senior Liisa Vehviläinen and freshman Ellie Blackford, junior Issey Purser and sophomore Natalie Stasny, and junior Matilde Morais with redshirt-sophomore Hanna Tsitavets. Despite their efforts, the Spartans struggled to secure victories in the doubles competition. The Morais/Tsitavets duo was defeated 6-3, while Purser/Stasny also lost by the same score. The match between Vehviläinen/Blackford remained unfinished at 5-4 when Gonzaga clinched the doubles point.

In singles play, Ellie Blackford earned a swift victory for Michigan State with a 6-0, 6-1 win. Hanna Tsitavets fought back after losing her first set but ultimately fell in three sets. Liisa Vehviläinen secured another point for the Spartans by overcoming an initial set loss to win her match 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

With both teams tied at two points each, the remaining singles matches were crucial. Freshman Amara Brahmbhatt lost a closely contested three-set match. Matilde Morais also went to three sets but was unable to claim victory. Natalie Stasny dominated her first set but lost momentum in subsequent sets.

Despite the competitive spirit shown by Michigan State's players, Gonzaga emerged victorious in the dual meet with a final score of 5-2.

Michigan State will continue their West Coast trip with a match against Washington State on Sunday before returning home to face Xavier on January 24 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.