Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University's women's tennis team, ranked No. 27, achieved a 4-2 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the GLIAC Tournament Semifinals held in Midland, Michigan. This win advances them to the GLIAC Tournament Championship scheduled for Sunday.

The Warriors entered the tournament as the top seed and received a bye in the first round due to their status as GLIAC Regular-Season Champions. They will face Grand Valley State, who defeated Ferris State 4-0 in another semifinal match.

In doubles play, Saginaw Valley State claimed the point with two victories. However, Wayne State's Malak Arafat and Martyna Szpakowska secured a win at the second flight with a 6-1 score against Amelia Dickson and Elizabeth Stuart.

Despite trailing after doubles, Wayne State turned the match around with four singles wins. Arafat won her match at No. 2 singles with set scores of 6-3 and 6-2 against Tara Erler. Szpakowska triumphed at No. 4 singles with scores of 6-2 and 6-0 over Calli Sokolowski. Dea Gorgidze also contributed by winning both sets 6-2 against Dickson at No. 5 singles.

Justine Beaulieu played at No. 6 singles in place of Shanice Weekes and won her match against Lydia Liong with scores of 6-1 and 7-5.

Anais Ruyssen, recently named GLIAC Player of the Year, lost her singles match at No.1 spot to Adriana Barrio by identical scores of 6-4.

The remaining unfinished match was between Marta Komar and Johanna Michahelles; each player had won one set when play stopped.

Several Wayne State players extended their winning streaks: Arafat (nine), Szpakowska (nine), Gorgidze (seven), and Beaulieu (six).

Wayne State aims to complete an undefeated conference season by capturing its third consecutive tournament title on Sunday against Grand Valley State, replicating last year's championship matchup which they won narrowly by a score of 4-3.