Western Wayne Today

The Wayne State University women's tennis team has secured the GLIAC Regular-Season Championship following a decisive 7-0 victory over Davenport University. The match took place on Saturday at the MVP SportsPlex in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Wayne State, ranked No. 20, completed its conference schedule with an unblemished 7-0 record and improved to 16-5 overall. As a result of their performance, the Warriors have earned the No. 1 seed and a bye for the opening round of the upcoming GLIAC Tournament. The team's current winning streak stands at eight matches.

This title marks Wayne State's second regular-season championship in three years, with their previous win occurring in 2022.

In doubles play, Davenport initially claimed victory as Isabella Carofano and Louise Hosking defeated Dea Gorgidze and Shanice Weekes by a score of 6-0 at the third flight. However, Wayne State's Anais Ruyssen and Marta Komar responded with a 6-0 win over Amy Bloch and Angelica Montano at the top spot. Malak Arafat and Martyna Szpakowska clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 victory against Skye Vandeleur and Hermon Mikael.

Arafat and Szpakowska's win marked their eighth consecutive doubles triumph, finishing the regular season with a record of 16-2.

In singles competition, Wayne State dominated all six matches to secure its seventh shutout of the spring season. Arafat defeated Bloch at the second flight with scores of 6-3, 6-2, while Ruyssen won against Mikael by identical scores at No. 1 position.

Komar also achieved success with set victories of 6-4 and 6-2 against Vandeleur at No. 3 spot. Szpakowska won her match against Carofano after securing sets of 6-0 and then finishing off with a score of 6-3.

Gorgidze triumphed over Hosking with scores of 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5 position, while Justine Beaulieu concluded her day’s effort by defeating Kumiko Yamaguchi at sixth flight by scores of 6-4 and 6-3.

Several players extended their singles winning streaks: Arafat (eight), Szpakowska (eight), Ruyssen (seven), Gorgidze (six), and Beaulieu (five).

Looking ahead, Wayne State will compete in the GLIAC Tournament held in Midland, Michigan as the top seed. Their next match is scheduled for April 27th in the semifinals against either Saginaw Valley State or Lake Superior State following those teams' first-round encounter.