Women’s Tennis | February 16, 2024
LOS ANGELES – The No. 17 ranked USC women’s tennis team erased an early deficit to down Big Ten opponent Michigan State 6-1 on Friday, Feb. 16 at the MSU Tennis Center in East Lansing, Mich.
The match began with doubles as it would be a battle for the early point. Court two was first to finish as Liisa Vehvilainen and Matilde Morais beat USC’s Lily Fairclough and McKenna Koenig 6-2. Next, the Trojans No. 52 ranked duo comprised of Parker Fry and Grace Piper would down Michigan State’s Issey Purser and Ria Bhakta 6-3 to even the score. The doubles point was decided on center court as Ayshe Can and Nicole Conard defeated USC’s No. 15 ranked doubles team of Eryn Cayetano and Emma Charney 6-2.
USC would overcome the one-point deficit in singles play as four Trojans claimed their individual matches. First, No. 103 Grace Piper downed Issey Purser 6-2, 6-4 on court four to bring the score to one point all. From there, the Trojans handled business, claiming the remaining five singles matches.
No. Snow Han beat Matilde Morais (MSU) 6-2, 6-1 on center court to put the Trojans out front. Then, sophomore No. 20 Emma Charney defeated Ayshe Can 7-5, 6-4, bringing USC within one point of a win.
USC fifth-year Eryn Cayetano delivered the clincher on court five as she beat Ria Bhakta 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. Remaining matches were played out with Freshman Lily Fairclough downing Spartan Natalie Stasny 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3) on court six, and No. 90 Naomi Cheong defeating Liisa Vehvilainen (MSUW) 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-3 on court three.
USC is back in action on Sunday, Feb. 18 as the Trojans travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. for a 9 a.m. PT dual against No. 2 Michigan.
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#17 USC 6, MICHIGAN STATE 1
Friday, Feb. 16 | MSU Tennis Center | East Lansing, Mich.
DOUBLES
1. Ayshe Can/Nicole Conard (MSUW) def. Eryn Cayetano/Emma Charney (USC) 6-2
2. Liisa Vehvilainen/Matilde Morais (MSUW) def. Lily Fairclough/McKenna Koenig (USC) 6-2
3. Parker Fry/Grace Piper (USC) def. Issey Purser/Ria Bhakta (MSUW) 6-3
Order of finish: 2,3,1
Michigan State wins doubles point.
SINGLES
1. Snow Han (USC) def. Matilde Morais (MSUW) 6-2, 6-1
2. Emma Charney (USC) def. Ayshe Can (MSUW) 7-5, 6-4
3. Naomi Cheong (USC) def. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSUW) 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-3
4. Grace…
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