Michigan State University
Cleveland St
Spartans Clinch Back-To-Back Victories
2/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 20, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team improved to 7-2 Sunday, Feb. 20, as it shut out both Toledo (3-3) and Cleveland State (6-3), 7-0, at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. This was the Spartans' second doubleheader of the season. MSU's 7-2 record is one of the best starts in school history.
Toledo
In a match that lasted just under two and a half hours, Michigan State secured its fourth shutout of the season and seventh straight win at home.
Taking an early jump with a sweep at doubles, sophomore Sarah Andrews (Darwin, Australia) and junior Shelley Brady (Grand Blanc, Mich.) at No. 2 did not allow a single point against Viviana Rivero and Sarah Vandermolen, as they defeated the Toledo pair, 8-0. At No. 3, senior Karen Gustafson (East Lansing, Mich.) and sophomore Pascale Schnitzer (Santiago, Chile) defeated Sarah Thompson and Daniela Moran, 8-1.
"Doubles went well today. We concentrated on hitting to our targets and finishing our points at the net," said Gustafson.
Senior Keri Thompson (Clark Lake, Mich.) showed her ability to be a fierce competitor as she defeated Myriam Cueva, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 1 singles.
At No. 3, Brady allowed only one point as she defeated Moran, 6-0, 6-1.
"I'm getting stronger and playing a lot better than I have been," said Brady, who is working her way back from a knee injury suffered last season. "I've been focused on choosing the right shots and I was able to execute that today. We knew Toledo wasn't a team to take lightly, so we were really prepared for them."
In her second start at No. 6 singles this year, Gustafson defeated Sarah Thompson, 6-0, 6-1.
"I've been playing in exhibition matches in our past matches," said Gustafson. "I kept my game the same and I've been working on moving forward during practice and I was able to execute that today."
Freshman Christine Bader (Okemos, Mich.) and sophomore Jessica Baron (Miami, Fla.), also picked up points for the Spartans to help secure the 7-0 victory.
"We had a rock-solid performance today," said assistant coach Brett Page. "Winning has definitely helped build our confidence and we've been able to create some good momentum."
Notes:
*The Spartans lead the series 8-0 since 1985, including five straight victories since 2001 *MSU is 5-0 against MAC schools this year
Cleveland State
In the first meeting between these two teams, Michigan State faired well sweeping both doubles and singles for the second time on Sunday. The win marked MSU's fifth shutout of the season and its seventh straight victory at home.
Michigan State doubles was tested by Cleveland State as CSU almost overcame MSU at No. 2. However, Andrews and Brady still pulled off a 9-7 victory over CSU's Jenn Myers and Christine Vogelgesang. Despite close doubles matches, Michigan State still captured all three to secure the first point.
Cleveland State also had impressives performance at singles and showed they were not a team to be taken lightly.
At No. 1, Thompson was tested by Sarah Galon in both sets. After capturing the first set 6-4, Thompson struggled at the beginning of the second set but still pulled off a 6-2 victory to clinch the point. Bader put in a solid performance as she defeated Morgan Ungerott, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2.
Andrews also had an impressive win at No. 5 as she triumphed over Rebekah Bicksler, 6-1, 6-0.
"We're all working on our games and know we have to keep improving," said Andrews.
Baron picked up the No. 4 point after defeating Lindsy Sellers, 6-2, 6-4.
"Both of my matches today were played really different," said Baron. "For Cleveland State I was able to close out my match and stick with my game plan. I'm happy so far with my performance this year."
Gustafson saw success again at No. 6 singles by defeating Marcella Capozziello, 6-0 both sets.
Overall Notes: *Seventh straight win for Michigan State *Doubles have now captured six of the last seven doubles points *Four season shutouts *Singles No. 1, 2, 3 and 6 all carry perfect home records of 7-0 *Undefeated at home
"There is a lot of satisfaction in winning our last seven matches," said head coach Tim Bauer. "You have to balance that with constantly preparing for the next challenge. Getting two wins today and keeping the winning streak alive is not an easy thing to do. I want to tip my hat to Cleveland State because they came in as the underdogs and really put our backs to the wall. As a team you face a lot of different situations and I'm glad we came out on top in this one."
Michigan State will take a break before heading to Florida on March 6. MSU will play three games during its spring trip as it takes on Jacksonville, Florida A&M and University of Richmond.
State opens its Big Ten season against rival Michigan on March 23 in Ann Arbor. MSU's next home match will be against Minnesota on April 2 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
Match ResultsToledo vs Michigan State2/20/2005 at East Lansing, Mich.
Michigan State 7, Toledo 0Singles competition:1. Keri Thompson (MSU) def. Myriam Cueva (UT) 6-0, 6-02. Christine Bader (MSU) def. Viviana Rivero (UT) 6-2, 6-13. Shelley Brady (MSU) def. Daniella Moran (UT) 6-0, 6-14. Jessica Baron (MSU) def. Sarah Horning (UT) 6-2, 6-25. Sarah Andrews (MSU) def. Sarah VanderMolen (UT) 6-1, 6-06. Karen Gustafson (MSU) def. Sarah Thompson (UT) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition:1. Christine Bader/Keri Thompson (MSU) def. Myriam Cueva/Sarah Horning (UT) 8-22. Shelley Brady/Sarah Andrews (MSU) def. Viviana Rivero/Sarah VanderMolen (UT) 8-03. Karen Gustafson/Pascale Schnitzer (MSU) def. Sarah Thompson/Daniella Moran (UT) 8-1
Match ResultsCleveland State vs. Michigan State2/20/2005 at East Lansing, Mich.
Michigan State 7, Cleveland State 0Singles competition:1. Keri Thompson (MSU) def. Sarah Galon (CSU) 6-4, 6-22. Christine Bader (MSU) def. Morgan Ungerott (CSU) 6-1, 6-13. Shelley Brady (MSU) def. Jenn Myers (CSU) 6-3, 6-14. Jessica Baron (MSU) def. Lindsay Sellers (CSU) 6-2, 6-45. Sarah Andrews (MSU) def. Rebekah Bicksler (CSU) 6-1, 6-06. Karen Gustafson (MSU) def. Marcella Capozziello (CSU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles competition:1. Keri Thompson/Christine Bader (MSU) def. Sarah Galon/Morgan Ungerott (CSU) 8-42. Sarah Andrews/Shelley Brady (MSU) def. Jenn Myers/ChristineVogelgesang (CSU) 9-73. Karen Gustafson/Pascale Schnitzer (MSU) def. Marcella Capozziello/Lindsay Sellers (CSU) 8-2
Players Mentioned
