The Wayne State University women’s tennis team achieved a 6-1 victory against Saginaw Valley State University in their opening match of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) season. This result brings Wayne State’s record to 3-3, while Saginaw Valley falls to 1-8.
In doubles play, Wayne State secured the initial point by winning two out of three matches. Anais Ruyssen and Dea Gorgidze won their match in the No. 1 doubles position with a score of 6-3 against Adriana Barrio and Amelia Dickson. In the No. 3 slot, Justine Beaulieu and Shantala Uzcategui triumphed over Anastasia Diamatopoulos and Nicoletta Diamantopoulos with a close score of 7-5. However, Malak Arafat and Shanice Weekes were defeated by Lydia Liong and Elizabeth Stuart, losing 6-3.
The singles competition saw further success for Wayne State as Ruyssen defeated Barrio with scores of 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) in the No. 1 singles position. Gorgidze continued her strong performance by overcoming Dickson in straight sets, both at 6-3 in the No. 3 spot.
Arafat also claimed victory in No. 2 singles against Liong with a commanding performance that ended at 6-1, 6-1. Beaulieu added another win for Wayne State by defeating Stuart with scores of 6-4, 6-2, while Uzcategui won her match against A. Diamantopoulos with scores of 6-0, 6-3.
Weekes faced a tough battle in the No. 4 singles position but ultimately fell to N. Diamantopoulos after three sets: she lost with scores of 6-3, followed by a tiebreaker loss at (5-7), and finally falling short at 2-6.
Wayne State will next compete on Sunday, March 23rd when they host Division I opponent Oakland University.
