Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's women's tennis team concluded their spring season home-opening weekend with a 6-1 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans began their day at 10 a.m. with doubles matches featuring senior Liisa Vehvilainen and freshman Ellie Blackford, junior Matilde Morais and redshirt-sophomore Hanna Tsitavets, as well as junior Issey Purser and redshirt-sophomore Oriana Parkins-Godwin.

The number three doubles team of Purser and Parkins-Godwin secured an early win with a decisive 6-1 score. The pairing of Vehvilainen and Blackford followed suit by clinching the doubles point for the Spartans with a 6-4 victory at number one doubles. As the point was already secured, Morais and Tsitavets did not complete their match.

In singles play, Michigan State dominated across all matches. Freshman Amara Brahmbhatt finished first with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 win. Tsitavets continued the momentum with a 6-0, 6-2 victory at number six singles. Morais added another point for the Spartans by winning her match 6-1, 6-2.

With the overall match decided, attention turned to Blackford, Purser, and Vehvilainen's singles matches. Vehvilainen emerged victorious at number one singles with a score of 6-2, 6-2. Despite putting up a strong fight, Blackford was unable to secure a win in her match.

Purser faced an initial setback but rallied from behind after losing her first set 3-6 to take the second set 6-4. Instead of proceeding to a third set, they played a tiebreaker where Purser triumphed with a final score of 10-5.

The Spartans are scheduled to return to action on Sunday, February 2nd at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center for a doubleheader against Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan starting at 10 a.m.

For more information about Michigan State women's tennis or to follow updates on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@MSU_WTennis), visit MSUSpartans.com.

Singles Competition Results:

1. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU-W) defeated Millie Haagensen (WVU) - Score: 6-2, 6-2

2. Michaela Kucharova (WVU) defeated Ellie Blackford (MSU-W) - Score: 6-4, 6-1

3. Matilde Morais (MSU-W) defeated Maja Dodik (WVU) - Score: 6-1, 6-2

4. Issey Purser (MSU-W) defeated Laura Villanueva (WVU) - Score: [3]-[5], [10]-[5]

5. Amara Brahmbhatt (MSU-W) defeated Lyla Byers (WVU) - Score: [0]-[3]

6. Hanna Tsitavets (MSU-W) defeated Susannah Su (WVU) - Score: [0]-[2]

Doubles Competition Results:

1. Liisa Vehvilainen/Ellie Blackford (MSU-W) defeated Millie Haagensen/Lyla Byers (WVU) - Score: [4]

2. Matilde Morais/Hanna Tsitavets vs Laura Villanueva/Michaela Kucharova - Unfinished

3. Issey Purser/Oriana Parkins-Godwin defeated Maja Dodik/Susannah Su - Score: [1]