MSU Women’s Tennis Defeat Dartmouth, 6-1

HANOVER, NH. – The Michigan State women's tennis team picked up its second victory of the season on Sunday afternoon with a 6-1 win against Dartmouth at the Boss Tennis Center.

The Spartans improve to an even 2-2 overall record, while handing Dartmouth its first loss of the season, falling to 2-1.

"Our preparation leading into this weekend really paid off," said Michigan State head coach Kim Bruno. "We are heading home with one solid win. I am proud of this group of women. We can't wait to be home next weekend and keep rolling."

Action kicked off on the doubles court with MSU taking the doubles point. On court one, the duo of Ayshe Can and Nicole Conard took control of the Big Green's duo of Lexi Dewire and Brooke Hess with a score of 6-2. The Spartans locked the point on court three with the pairing of Issey Purser and Ria Bhakta dropped the tandem of Elizabeth Fahrmeier and Caroline Lemcke in a narrow victory 6-4.

In singles competition, Dartmouth pushed Michigan State to the limits. All six courts were competitive and came down to the wire, but the Spartans battled to take down five of the six matches. On court one, sophomore Matilde Morais and Michela Moore put on a performance with Morais taking the first set 6-2. From there each competitor put up a valiant effort with Moore evening the series 7-6 (7-4) but Morais bounced back to pull of a 1-0 (10-7) victory.

Michigan State would sweep Dartmouth on courts two and three. On court two, Can knocked off Dewire 6-2 and 7-5 to move to 2-0 in singles competition. Right next to Can was Liisa Vehvilainen on court three, who picked up her first singles victory of the young season as she took down Lemcke 6-3 in both sets. It was a back-and-forth match over on court four as Purser squared off against Hess as all three sets ended with a score of 6-4. The Ascot, United Kingdom, native snagged the final set to come away with her second win.

Two freshmen were on courts five and six for the Green and White in Bhakta on court five and Natalie Stasny on court six. Bhakta had her last three single matches go unfinished, she quickly put a stamp on her match against Fahrmeier with scores of 6-1 and 7-5 to earn her first career singles victory. Stasny fell to Katie Weber in three sets (2-6, 6-3, 3-6).

Michigan State will have a busy home schedule next weekend as it faces Toledo on Friday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. then a Sunday doubleheader against Western Michigan at 12 p.m. and Eastern Michigan at 4 p.m.

MATCH RESULTS

Michigan State 6, Dartmouth 1

DOUBLES

1. Ayshe Can / Nicole Conard (MSU) def. Lexi Dewire / Brooke Hess (DU) 6-2

2. Matilde Morais / Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) unfinished match against Michela Moore / Katie Weber (DU) 3-5.

3. Issey Purser / Ria Bhakta def. Elizabeth Fahrmeier / Caroline Lemcke (DU) 6-4

SINGLES

1. Matilde Morais (MSU) def. Michela Moore (DU) 6-2, 6-7 (7-4), 1-0 (10-7)

2. Ayshe Can (MSU) def. Lexi Dewire (DU) 6-2, 7-5

3. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) def. Caroline Lemcke (DU) 6-3, 6-3

4. Issey Purser (MSU) def. Brooke Hess (DU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

5. Ria Bhakta (MSU) def. Elizabeth Fahrmerier (DU) 6-1, 7-5

6. Katie Weber (DU) def. Natalie Stasny (MSU) 2-6, 6-3, 3-6

Next Event

Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Ria Bhakta

Ayshe Can

Nicole Conard

Matilde Morais

Issey Purser

Natalie Stasny

Liisa Vehviläinen