Sophomore Samantha Memije has proven to be one of the standout singles players in the Big Ten and posts a 9-1 conference record in singles play.

“All the teams are tough, and I just try to play my game each weekend,” she said. “I don’t really let the pressure get to me. It could go either way, so I just try to do the best I can for my team and myself.” 

Bruno complimented Memije’s play when asked about it after practice last Thursday.

“She’s been a rock for us. Honestly, she shows up every day, you know what you’re going to get from Sammy,” she said. “She’s going to put her nose to the grindstone. I think that speaks volumes to what the program means to her. She’s one of the best five or six players in the Big Ten. It’s critical when you can rely on someone like that. She’s so much fun to have on the team. She’s quiet, but when she talks, everyone listens.”

The doubles team of senior Lexi Baylis and freshman Ava Thielman split two matches over the weekend and stands at 11-7 on the season. 

“Ava being a freshman and me being a senior allowed me to kind of take the reins and teach her the ropes,” Baylis said. “I can kind of mold her, which is cool. She’s grown so much, and that’s why our doubles has grown because she personally has grown. That’s really helped us both as a team.” 

Bruno noted the duo's progression throughout the course of the season.

“Lexi does a great job of leadership. She led Ava to the next level of what it takes to be successful in doubles,” she said. “She also brings so much energy, it’s hard not to have her in that doubles lineup. I think they have done a great job of coming in extra and working hard as a team. They had their downs, too, at the beginning of the season. I think they’re still getting better.”

Baylis said their ongoing success, winning nine of their last 13 matches as a team, is because or the "energy and ability to think as one."

“I think that’s a big deal when you’re playing doubles,” she said. “You have to communicate and move all around. We’re both from Michigan, so both of our families come and watch. It’s pretty cool to get the crowd going, and I like to hype it up, so I think that makes our tennis better.”

Junior Davina Nguyen has developed another successful doubles partnership with fellow junior Emily Metcalf. The team has a current record of 15-10, including a 10-6 record as the first doubles team. Nguyen said she believes her personal friendship with Metcalf has been helpful to them as a doubles team.

“It’s so huge because I’ve been living with her since my freshman year. That chemistry you can’t fake. Even if we’re struggling, we know each other’s game so well that it really is a benefit to us,” she said. “We’re not judgmental of each other. We’re more judgmental of ourselves if anything. We know that we want to win, we want all the best things, but we’re forgiving of each other. We spend a lot of time together as a team.”

The Spartans have been stingy at home this season and have a 9-2 record at the MSU Tennis Center. Bruno said she believes in tennis, like any sport, the key to a successful season is defending one's home turf.

Nguyen had a simple reason for the Spartans’ home success: it’s better to be home than travelling.

“Being on the road is just exhausting. I love the homecourt advantage,” she said. “Our fans really hype us up, and the crowd really brings up the energy. It’s great.” 

Senior day is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the MSU Tennis Center against rival University of Michigan.