March 12, 2008

Results

Listen to Post-Match Audio
Head Coach Erica Perkins
Junior Stephanie Kebler

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team defeated Eastern Michigan, 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. Stephanie Kebler had a big day for Michigan State, teaming up with Lindsey Lonergan as they downed Falvia Micati and Aleksandra Stankovic, 8-1, at No. 3 doubles. Kebler then finished it off with a dominating 6-0, 6-1, victory over Catharina Bestehorn.

Michigan State came out strong as it took the early lead, winning two of three doubles matches. In addition to the win at No. 3, Ana Milosavljevic and Manon Noe secured the doubles point for the Spartans, after blanking Adita Krishnan and Joanna Woo, 8-0,

In singles play, MSU swept flights 3-6, as Milosavljevic picked up her team-leading 17th victory of the year, defeating Woo, 6-3, 6-3, in the fifth flight. At No. 4, Lonergan picked up the straight set victory over EMU's Stankovic, 7-5, 6-1, while Ally Wickman recorded her fifth victory of the season, blowing out Flavia Micati, 6-2, 6-0, at No. 6 singles.

"This was a good team effort," said MSU head coach Erica Perkins. "After a disappointing match last weekend, it was good to see the girls come out confident and focused. We are starting to look more like an experienced team, but we have to continue to strive for excellence and improvement. Stephanie Kebler had a very good day. She has been working very hard the last few days, and I think today's match was a step in the right direction for her. We will enjoy this win today, but tomorrow we will begin our preparations for our first Big Ten match. The Big Ten is stronger and deeper than ever, so we know that there will be no easy matches."

Michigan State returns to action Saturday, March 22 as it hosts Purdue in its first Big Ten matchup of the season. Play is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility in East Lansing.