Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's women's tennis team concluded their four-match homestand with a successful doubleheader on Sunday. The Spartans secured victories against Western Michigan University (WMU) and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.

In the morning session, MSU defeated WMU 4-1. Coach Kim Bruno commented, "I think from the first match to this match, we got better. Not just within our doubles play, but I think our singles performances were just solid, and that's hard to do." The Spartans improved their season record to 4-2 after these wins.

The day began with doubles matches against WMU. Junior Sarah Fazlagic and freshman Olivia Kutlova debuted as a pair but lost 2-6. However, the senior/freshman duo of Liisa Vehvilainen and Ellie Blackford won their match 6-3. Despite pressure, Natalie Stasny and Issey Purser fell short in their doubles match.

In singles play, Stasny quickly leveled the score by winning her match 6-0, 6-1. Freshman Amara Brahmbhatt followed with a dominant performance at number five singles, winning 6-3, 6-0. Oriana Parkins-Godwin added another point for MSU with a victory of 6-1, 6-2. Vehvilainen clinched the win for MSU with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

Later in the afternoon against EMU, MSU's consistent tandem of Vehvilainen/Blackford secured an early doubles win at 6-0. The Brahmbhatt/Parkins-Godwin pair clinched the doubles point for MSU with a score of 6-3.

For singles matches against EMU, Purser contributed by winning her match at number five singles with scores of 6-0, 6-1. Hanna Tsitavets dominated her opponent at number four singles with scores of 6-1, 6-0. Blackford completed the sweep for MSU by securing her match at number three singles with scores of 6-2, 6-1.

MSU will have a break before traveling to Lynchburg for matches against James Madison on February 15th and Liberty on February 16th. They will return to East Lansing on February 23rd for another doubleheader against Youngstown State and Ball State.