Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Xavier
Spartan Women’s Tennis Remains Undefeated After First of Three Weekend Matches
2/6/2026 9:41:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MSU women’s tennis slides to 3-0 after defeating the Xavier Musketeers, 4-2, on Friday evening.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State women's tennis secured its third win of the season Friday at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center, after defeating Xavier in a 4-2 victory, as the Spartans continued their undefeated dual season.
The Spartans faced off against the Musketeers in MSU's first of three home matches during the weekend.
During the doubles contests to open the action, the Green & White had a difficult battle against the Musketeers.
At No. 3 doubles, a new duo of sophomore Amara Brahmbhatt and redshirt junior Hanna Tsitavets fell to Emily Flowers/Natalie Smitek in a 6-2 deficit.
Sophomore Ellie Blackford and senior Matilde Morais were set at No. 1 doubles, and came back from getting down 3-0 to Abby Nugent/Clara Owen. While the Spartan pair was able to even the score at 3-3, they ultimately fell, 6-3, securing the doubles point for Xavier.
Senior Issey Purser and sophomore Nina Plihal's match at No. 2 doubles stood at 5-5 before going unfinished.
With the doubles point going in the Musketeers' favor, the Spartans had to battle back during singles play to secure the match.
Blackford's match was first to finish, with the Spartan securing a point for the Green & White in a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles versus XU's Madeleine Rexroat.
Following Blackford's lead was Purser at No. 6 singles, who added another point to MSU's total with a 6-3, 7-5 win against Abigail Siminski of Xavier.
Securing the third point for the Spartans was Plihal at No. 5 singles, going 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), defeating Clara Owen.
Although Brahmbhatt was able to battle back from losing her first set and split against Abby Nugent, she dropped her third set in a 3-6, 6-2, 4-6 battle.
With two matches left, the Spartans were determined to do all they could to clinch the dual win.
Following a dominant first set, Tsitavets at No. 4 singles struggled during the second. After dropping the second set and splitting the series, it came down to the third set against Ella DeFord.
In a closely rivaled third set, Tsitavets came out victorious, securing the match in the Spartans' favor in a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 win, after a lengthy rally to seal the Victory for MSU.
Morais's match at No. 3 singles went unfinished, with the Spartan splitting the match versus Emily Flowers 6-7 (7-9), 6-2.
Xavier will continue its weekend in East Lansing by playing Gonzaga in a neutral court match on Saturday, Feb. 7 in a 1 p.m. start time at MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
MSU women's tennis returns to the courts of the MSU Indoor Tennis Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, for a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. against Gonzaga and then at 2 p.m. versus Ball State.
Sunday serves as MSU's Youth and Family Day, with several activities on hand for fans, including a coloring station and face tattoos available.
Fans can keep up to date with the MSU women's tennis team on Instagram, X and Facebook by following @msu_wtennis.
Tennis Match Results
Xavier Women's Tennis vs Michigan State
2/6/2026 at East Lansing, MI
(MSU Indoor Tennis Center)
Michigan State 4, Xavier Women's Tennis 2
Singles competition
1. Abby Nugent (XAV) def. #116 Amara Brahmbhatt (MSU-W) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
2. Ellie Blackford (MSU-W) def. Madeleine Rexroat (XAV) 6-1, 6-1
3. Matilde Morais (MSU-W) vs. Emily Flowers (XAV) 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, unfinished
4. Hanna Tsitavets (MSU-W) def. Ella DeFord (XAV) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
5. Nina Plihal (MSU-W) def. Clara Owen (XAV) 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Issey Purser (MSU-W) def. Abigail Siminski (XAV) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Abby Nugent/Clara Owen (XAV) def. #88 Ellie Blackford/Matilde Morais (MSU-W) 6-3
2. Nina Plihal/Issey Purser (MSU-W) vs. Madeleine Rexroat/Ella DeFord (XAV) 5-5, unfinished
3. Emily Flowers/Natalie Smitek (XAV) def. Amara Brahmbhatt/Hanna Tsitavets (MSU-W) 6-2
Match Notes:
Xavier Women's Tennis 0-2
Michigan State 3-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,6,5,1,4)
A-206
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
2,6,5,1,4
Players Mentioned
