Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
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Spartan Women’s Tennis Solidifies Top Season Start After Sunday Victories
2/8/2026 9:25:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MSU beats Gonzaga and Ball State to move to 5-0 for first time since 2018.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State women's tennis moved to 5-0 after sweeping Sunday's doubleheader against Gonzaga and Ball State
The Spartans' 5-0 record is the best start to a season they have had since the 2018 spring season, when MSU went 8-0 to begin their season. The 2025-26 Spartans capped a three-match weekend after sweeping Xavier on Friday.
"That was tough. I think the girls showed us that," said head coach Kim Bruno. "We put them in a tough situation; we played a lot of tennis. Everyone had to play. We were banged up, exhausted and mentally drained, but here we are 5-0. Kudos to the girls, we're a tough team, and I think moving forward we've got to just keep believing in that and keep going."
The Spartans kicked off their morning with a match against Gonzaga, where they proved their dominance on the court.
To begin the match, the Spartans and Bulldogs faced off in a series of doubles matches. Sophomore Nina Plihal and senior Issey Purser were first to finish, slating a strong 6-2 win against Gonzaga's Ella Nielsen/Sveva Zerpelloni.
MSU's No. 88- ranked pairing of sophomore Ellie Blackford/senior Matilde Morais followed in suit, securing another 6-2 win versus Brooke Bittner/Rose Hayes, capturing the doubles point for the Green & White.
With the point solidified in MSU's favor, sophomore Amara Brahmbhatt and redshirt-junior Oriana Parkins-Godwin's match went unfinished, standing at 4-4.
Singles matches began soon after, and the Spartans were confident in their skill on the court.
First-year Spartan Plihal was first to clinch another point in MSU's favor, dominating Karla Brown, 6-1, 6-1.
Brahmbhatt, who is ranked No. 116 nationally, added to the point total, securing her match against Rose Hayes, 6-3, 6-2.
Clinching the match for the Spartans was Morais, who at No. 3 singles slated a 6-4, 7-5 victory facing Elizabeth Tindera.
The remaining singles matches went unfinished.
At 2 p.m., the Spartans began play against the Ball State Cardinals, opening with a round of doubles matches.
MSU struggled on the courts in the early going, with all three matches playing out. Blackford/Morais returned at No. 1 doubles, dominating Ball State's Alana Bristow/Gabriella Barrera, 6-1.
Ball State battled back with Isabel Tanjuacato/Anya Tkachyk defeating a new tandem of freshman Anna Maria Tottrup and senior Sarah Fazlagic 6-3 at No. 3 doubles.
It came down to No. 2 doubles, where Plihal/Parkins-Godwin paired up in an attempt to clinch the doubles point. While the Spartan pair put up a valiant effort, they ultimately fell to Sydney Hrehor/Asia Ting Fontana, 7-5.
With the doubles point going in the Cardinals' favor, the Green & White had to battle back during singles matches.
Brahmbhatt was first to even the score for the Spartans, winning against Alana Bristow, 6-0, 6-2 on the No. 1 court.
Blackford at No. 2 followed closely behind, clinching the second point for the Spartans 6-0, 6-2 versus Priyanka Rana.
The Spartans continued their reign, with Parkins-Godwin securing the third point for the team 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 singles against Jemima Williams-Phillips.
BSU's Gabriella Barrera responded quickly, defeating Issey Purser at No. 5 singles, 6-2, 7-5.
With only two singles matches left, the Green & White had their work cut out for them.
Morais at No. 3 singles battled back from a difficult first set, ultimately clinching the match in the Spartans' favor at 7-5, 6-2.
Since the match was clinched, Plihal's match at No. 4 singles went unfinished, as the home team celebrated the Victory for MSU with the second win of the season.
Up Next
With its five-match homestand concluding on Sunday, the MSU women's tennis team now travels to New York, N.Y. to face Princeton on Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. and Columbia on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.
Fans can keep up to date with Spartan women's tennis by following them on Instagram, X and Facebook @msu_wtennis.
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:
5,2,3
Players Mentioned
