Michigan State University
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
Spartan Women's Tennis Tames Broncos, 5-2
2/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State opened its trio of home matches this weekend with a 5-2 victory against Western Michigan on Friday, Feb. 26, at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. Senior Emily Meyers notched her team-high sixth win of the spring.
"Doubles was really good today," said head coach Simone Jardim. "Some people had to step up and play, and we looked sharper. Western Michigan always gives us a hard time, and they are a good team. Going into singles, with Erin (Faulkner) fighting injuries and being back, she stepped up and played well. Davina (Nguyen) played really well today. As a team, we have been getting better."
The Spartans jumped out to an early lead, claiming the doubles point with wins on court two and three. Sophomores Aslina Chua and Allie Baer made quick work of Meika Ashby and Denise Azcui, 6-3. The point was secured with freshman Davina Nguyen and junior Athena Trouillot winning their ninth match of the season, first of the spring. The duo defeated Barbare Eristavi and Katja Fevralev, 6-4.
"As a team, we are taking steps forward," said Jardim. "We have been talking about peaking at the right time, and hopefully everyone will be healthy by March. We have to recover tomorrow though and be ready to play a doubleheader on Sunday."
Nguyen and fellow freshman Emily Metcalf put Michigan State ahead 3-0 with victories at No. 2 and No. 5 singles, respectively. Metcalf was the first to finish, beating Denise Azcui in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. The Jonesboro, Arkansas, native is 4-0 this spring in the No. 5 slot. Nguyen clinched her third win of the spring, downing Olivia Myers, 6-4, 6-1.
Junior Erin Faulkner clinched the team match for MSU, winning in three sets at No. 1 singles against Melina Lyubomirova. Faulkner was convincing in set one, 6-2, before falling 7-5 in the second frame. She rebounded in the third to run away with the match, 6-1.
Meyers battled Meika Ashby to a three-set thriller. Meyers jumped out to an early lead before Ashby came back to force the set to a 7-6 edge for Meyers. After falling in the second set, 6-3, Meyers took control in the third, 6-2.
"In the three set matches though, you have to dig deeper and go a little bit further," Jardim said. "It is so mental and becomes more physical in who will last longer. To pull out third sets, this early in the year, builds confidence."
Michigan State returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 28, as the Spartans host Cleveland State at 10 a.m. and Bowling Green at 4 p.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
Players Mentioned
