Saturdays highlights included sophomore captain Erin Faulkner placing No. 1 singles, defeating Mayu Sato of IPFW 6-0, 5-7, 6-0. Spartans took the No. 2, through No. 6 spot for singles against IPFW with sophomore Athena Trouillot, senior Catherine Parenteau, freshman Aslina Chua, freshman Allie Baer and freshman Lexi Baylis earning spots. Faulkner led MSU No. 1 spot against Irina Slizovskaya of Detroit Mercy, 6-2, 6-4 and 6-3. Trouillot followed in No. 2 singles, Chua No. 3 and Baylis No. 5.

“The entire team is pretty cohesive. We have a lot of team chemistry, which is, for the first couple weeks and for our first tournament, is very special for the freshmen,” Faulkner said. “I think they’re doing an excellent job.”

Faulkner and Baer teamed up in doubles to defeat Lexy Pitt and Pia Rygh of Toldeo 8-4. Baylis and Trouillot took No. 3 followed by sophomore Anna Zelechonok and Hilary Hager at No. 4.

“This is the first time [Faulkner and Baer are] playing together.” Jardim said. The team only had one practice prior to the meet. “I think they did pretty well for not having playing together.”

Sunday brought more Spartan victories — No. 2 spot Chua and captain Emily Meyers against IPFW 8-4 in doubles, Faulkner and Baer beat Detroit Mercy’s Irina Slizovskaya and Valeriya Kulikovskaya 8-2. Faulkner beat Katelyn Nguyen of Toledo 6-4 twice claiming No. 1, in consecutive matches No. 2 against Pia Rygh 6-4 twice, Chua over Lexy Pitt 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4.

“We got so many wins and I think the most important part is that we worked hard. We all wanted it. We started off really well and we are going to continue,” Trouillot said.

With some lingering injuries from upperclassmen players, the younger athletes needed to step up and perform well at the Spartan Invitational.

“We are so young. We are counting on our young squad to come out at this first tournament and have two freshmen go undefeated. I am just really happy, overall,” Jardim said. “We will keep getting better, which is the most promising part.”