Jenna Hirsch Assistant Athletic Trainer (Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf) | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Jenna Hirsch Assistant Athletic Trainer (Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf) | Wayne State University Athletics Website
The Wayne State University women's tennis team, ranked No. 20, is preparing for a crucial weekend with matches against Purdue Northwest and Davenport. These matches will determine the GLIAC Regular-Season Championship. The Warriors will face Purdue Northwest at the Match Point Tennis Facility in Griffith, Indiana, on Friday, April 19, at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The following day, they will play against Davenport at the MVP SportsPlex in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1 p.m.
Wayne State's path to clinching the league championship is straightforward: two victories this weekend will secure the title regardless of other results. The team currently leads the standings with a 5-0 record after key wins over Grand Valley State and Ferris State last weekend. Malak Arafat played a significant role in these victories and was named GLIAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week.
The Warriors can also clinch with one victory if Ferris State does not win both of its remaining matches against Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State. Currently second in the standings with a 4-1 record, Ferris State is Wayne State's closest competitor.
Achieving the top spot is important for seeding in the upcoming GLIAC Tournament starting April 26 at the Greater Midland Tennis Center. Six teams from eight programs will qualify for this tournament.
In recent NCAA Regional Rankings released on April 17, Wayne State was among nine Midwest Region programs included without specific ranking order. This list features teams from various conferences such as GLIAC and GLVC.
According to Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings updated on April 17, Wayne State rose to No. 20 in Division II nationally. Anais Ruyssen ranks 34th individually for singles while she and Marta Komar are ranked 11th for doubles.
Wayne State has dominated past matchups against Purdue Northwest since their inclusion in GLIAC ahead of the 2017-18 season with seven consecutive wins including six shutouts.
Davenport presents another opportunity for victory as Wayne State holds an undefeated record against them since joining GLIAC during that same period.
Purdue Northwest is coached by Selenay Heper while Patrick Grashorn leads Davenport's team assisted by Lewie DeGeneault and Jonathan Bulmer respectively.
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