Spartans Corralled by Hoosiers – Michigan State University Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Michigan State women’s tennis competed but could not hold off Indiana, falling to the Hoosiers, 4-0, at the IU Tennis Center Saturday morning. With the loss, MSU moves to 8-11 (1-7 Big Ten) while Indiana improves to 12-7 (3-4 Big Ten) this spring. 
 
MSU would fall behind in the doubles portion as Indiana overpowered the Spartans at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. In a grueling match at No. 1 singles, Spartans Liisa Vehvilainen and Marley Lambert fell to Indiana’s Lara Schneider and Saby Nihalani, 6-1, as the Hoosiers took the early advantage. Indiana would clinch the doubles point with a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles as the Spartan duo of Issey Purser and Nicole Conard fell to IU’s Alexandra Staiculescu and Nicole Teodosescu. At No. 3 doubles, Spartans Dagmar Zdrubecka and Juliette Nask were involved in a 4-4 gridlock with IU’s Lauren Lemonds and Rose Hu in a match that went unfinished. 
 
In singles, the Spartans battled but found themselves down early as Indiana took command with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. MSU’s Lambert could not overcome a second-set deficit falling to IU’s Nihalani, 3-6, 0-6 at the No. 2 slot. Moments later, Indiana’s Mila Mejic took down MSU’s Purser 6-0, 7-6 (1), at the No. 3 slot to give the Hoosiers a 3-0 lead. The Hoosiers would clinch the match at No. 4 singles as MSU’s Conard could not corral Indiana’s Staiculescu, falling to the Hoosier 4-6, 1-6. 
 
The Spartans competed well on the final three courts, including a lead at No. 5 singles. MSU’s Nask had a 6-4, 3-1 lead against Indiana’s Teodosescu in a match that went unfinished at the No. 5 slot. Meanwhile, at No. 1 and No. 6 singles, the Spartans were involved in tight battles with both matches halted after the Hoosiers clinched. MSU’s Vehvilainen was leading the second set at No. 1 singles over Indiana’s Schneider while Spartan Charlotte Gisclon had a second set advantage over Indiana’s Hu when both matches were abandoned. 
 
UP NEXT
 
MSU concludes its season-long road stretch against No. 47 Purdue on Sunday, April 9. First serve against the Boilermakers is slated for noon. 
 
RESULTS
DOUBLES
1. Lara Schneider/Saby Nihalani (IU) def. Liisa Vehvilainen/Marley Lambert (MSU) 6-1
2. Alexandra Staiculescu/Nicole Teodosescu (IU) def. Issey Purser/Nicole Conard (MSU) 6-2
3. Lauren Lemonds/Rose Hu (IU) vs.