Michigan State University
Florida Gulf Coast
Spartans Defeat FGCU, 5-2
3/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Michigan State women's tennis team defeated Florida Golf Coast University (FGCU) on Friday afternoon, 5-2, at the FGCU Tennis Complex. With the victory, the team improves to 9-3 on the season.
"They learned from what happened against South Florida, made some adjustments and had a good team performance today," head coach Kim Bruno said.
In the first doubles match of the day, the duo of juniors Emily Metcalf and Davina Nguyen fell against Julia Ascua and Maja Ornberg, 6-3. The duo is now 8-1 on the season.
The Spartans once again took the doubles point to start the day, as they have for the tenth time this season.
At No. 3 doubles, senior Lexi Baylis and freshman Ava Thielman kept the doubles point alive with a 7-5 victory over Bridget Forster and Madison Gallegos. The doubles point was clinched on court two for MSU as senior Habiba Shaker and freshman Sara Kuuttila defeated Laura Falceto Font and Julianna Curtis, 7-6 (11-9).
With the Spartans leading 1-0 after doubles play, the team looked for dominating singles performances to close out the match.
At No. 6 singles, sophomore Samantha Memije kicked singles play off to a high note with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Forster.
The match was clinched with simultaneous wins on courts five and three. At No. 5 singles, Metcalf defeated Patricia Villar, 6-4, 6-2, while Kuuttila secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Gallegos on court three.
Nguyen also defeated Falceto Font, 6-4, 6-3 on court four.
It all came down to courts one and two, as seniors Aslina Chua and Habiba Shaker battled with their FGCU opponents. Shaker battled with Ascua, but eventually fell, 3-6, 7-6 (10-2). Chua also fell at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-4, to Ornberg.
"I think it's probably going to be the toughest match of the week," Bruno said. "I think we have to feel good about winning today and go in with a little underdog mentality; We have an opportunity to take out a team that's ranked higher than us."
The Spartans conclude their Florida trip against Florida International University on Saturday with the match set to begin at 12 p.m.
Players Mentioned
