“We were in it at 1-doubles. We were at set points at 3-singles, up 5-2 at 2, if we turn one of those, it could be a different story,” head coach Kim Bruno said. “We knew the task wasn’t gonna be easy. Michigan is a great team that’s been on top for a very long time for good reason. Do I wish a couple matches we could’ve put together a little differently? Of course. But, at the end of the day, we got beat today.”

U-M dominated the doubles point, winning every set, which senior Aslina Chua said was mostly because of execution.

“There’s so many factors that go into a match, as the coaches pointed out. In doubles, we didn’t come out of the blocks very well," she said. "I don’t think it was an issue of belief, but more of execution, if you focus on the things we can control instead of things that you can’t control. If we had come out all together off the blocks, then that match could’ve gone our way.” 

Despite the loss, the team was upbeat heading into the Big Ten Championships this Thursday.

“There’s a lot of depth in this team,” senior Habiba Shaker said. “We bring out the most out of everyone. We have a good chance going into the Big Ten Tournament, and this loss should motivate us to do better.” 

Saturday’s loss came on the heels of a positive week, as the Spartans defeated Rutgers and Maryland by wide margins. 

“Michigan is frankly better than the teams we played last weekend,” Bruno said. “We took care of teams we should beat last weekend, and Michigan, it would be a stretch for us. Do we believe that we could do it? Of course. Last time we had two losses, we came back and had two wins. I don’t think that’s gonna define us, what our results are from weekend to weekend. I think we learn from this match, we do what we’ve been doing and we plug away.” 

Saturday marked the final regular season match for seniors Lexi Baylis, Shaker and Chua, from Kuching, Malaysia. 

“This program means everything to me,” Baylis said. “I’ve been a Spartan my whole life, but it gives a whole new meaning when you’re a Spartan athlete. My best friends have come out of this team, and working hard every single day. Working hard every single day and the opportunities that we’re given are unmatched in any other experience.” 

Chua said the program has affected her, not just on the court but has changed the course of her life for the better.

“Every time that somebody asks I find it hard to hold the tears back. But no words will ever suffice in what this program means to me,” said Chua, as she got visibly emotional. “I came here with a vague idea of what I wanted to do with my life. But being a Michigan State Spartan, being given the space to grow here, I’ve really become the woman that I am today. I think Michigan State and the tennis program has really prepared me to be as compassionate as I can going on in to the real world, and tackle whatever I choose to do as best as I can.” 

Bruno said she believed the team could be more successful in the Big Ten Championships, which starts Thursday in Minneapolis.

“Let’s go out there and anything can happen," she said. "It’s the Big Ten tournament.”