Women’s Tennis Travels South to Face USF

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State women’s tennis team looks to bounce back from its 4-2 loss to Columbia, as it travels down south to go head-to-head against South Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Action is set to begin at 12 p.m. at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.

NEWBIES MAKING AN IMPACT

Freshman Ria Bhakta and sophomore transfer Matilde Morais each have made huge impacts in their first season repping the Green and White. Bhakta enters the match against the Bulls as the Spartans leader in total dual victories with 10. In singles action, Bhakta has an impressive 6-1 overall record, her lone loss came against No. 90-ranked Eryn Cayento from Southern California. Despite the loss, the Delray Beach, Florida, native pushed Cayento to the limits taking her to three sets. In her three unfinished matches, Bhakta was leading in all three bouts.

Morais, a transfer from North Texas, has started seven matches on the top court for the Michigan State and boasts a 4-3 dual record and a 1-1 record on court two, working her way as one of the top players for the Spartans. Over on the doubles court, Morais holds a 2-2 record with tandem partner and another former North Texas Green Eagle, junior Liisa Vehvilainen with both victories coming on court two.

UPDATED RANKINGS

Michigan State enters the matchup ranked 74^th in the latest ITA rankings. The No. 44-ranked duo of graduate Nicole Conard and senior Ayshe Can looks to continue their impressive play throughout the season.

KNOW THE FOE: SOUTH FLORIDA

The Bulls, who enter the week with a 4-6 overall record, are led by ninth-year head coach Cristina Moros who holds an even 93-93 overall record with five .500 seasons or better. Moros guided USF to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017 and was the AAC Coach of the Year. On the singles court for the Bulls, junior Gargi Pawar leads the squad with six total wins.

SERIES HISTORY

This would mark the third meeting between the two programs and the first since 2002 when the Green and White swept USF 7-0. The series is split 1-1.