UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— Penn State women's tennis (8-8, 2-2 Big Ten) defeated No. 70 Michigan State (9-7, 1-4 Big Ten), 4-1, on Saturday at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center.
"We had a slower start to the match, but the girls did a great job turning it around. It shows our growth as a team and program. We knew today was going to be a challenge," said head coach Alexandra Anghelescu. "After last year we expected them to come out with good energy and motivation. We did a great job maintaining our nerves and emotions to come out on top. But now we need to get ready for Michigan as we have a quick turnaround but a great start to the weekend!"
Doubles
Michigan State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead by capturing the doubles point, as it earned wins on courts one and two.
Duo, Gabby O'Gorman and Alexandra Nielsen defeated Nicole Stephens and Tia Mukherjee on court three, 6-2.
Court two held a hard-fought battle for the doubles point. In the end, Olivia Ryan and Yvonne Zuffova were defeated, 7-5, by Ayshe Can and Charlotte Gisclon.
Singles
On court one, Sofiya Chekhlystova defeated Mary Lewis in two straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Karly Friedland secured a three-set match over Nicole Stephens on court four, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Gabby O'Gorman came up victorious over Ayshe Can, 6-4, 7-6 (2) on court three to bring the Nittany Lions to a 3-1 lead over the Spartan's. The match was clinched on court two by Zuffova's 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Maja Pietrowicz.
Results
Penn State 4, No. 70 Michigan State 1
Doubles Results
1. Mary Lewis/Maja Pietrowicz (MSU) def. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Karly Friedland (PSU), 6-3
2. Ayshe Can and Charlotte Gisclon (MSU) def. Olivia Ryan/Yvonne Zuffova (PSU), 7-5
3. Gabby O'Gorman/Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) def. Nicole Stephens/ Tia Mukherjee (MSU), 6-2
Order of finish: 3,1,2
Singles Results
1. Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Mary Lewis (MSU), 6-2, 6-3
2. Yvonne Zuffova (PSU) def. Maja Pietrowicz (MSU), 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
3. Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) def. Ayshe Can (MSU), 6-4, 7-6
4. Karly Friedland (PSU) def. Nicole Stephens (MSU), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) vs. Lauren Lemonds (MSU), 3-4, unfinished
6. Danielle Alamo (PSU) vs. Charlotte Gisclon(MSU), 2-2, unfinished
Order of finish: 1,4,2,3
Up Next
The Nittany Lions will host No. 26 Michigan for another Big Ten conference match on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Keep up with the Penn State women's tennis team at GoPSUsports.com. For continued updates throughout the year, make sure to 'like' Penn State women's tennis on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatewten and follow-on Twitter at @pennstateWTEN.