Commodores smash tennis team in opener

In its first match of the 2003 season, the MSU women's tennis team was completely outplayed, failing to win a match - or a set - in singles play.

The Spartans (0-1) were defeated 7-0 by Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. In each of the last two seasons, the Commodores have finished in the top seven in the International Tennis Association poll.

Although the outcome was lopsided, MSU head coach Tim Bauer came away from Sunday's match very optimistic.

"The team we faced has a shot to win the NCAA's," he said. "I think it was a good showing against potentially the highest-ranked team we'll play. The important thing about this is these guys are a measuring stick for us."

Bauer said the team is far ahead of where they were last year. This marked the second straight year the Spartans opened the season against Vanderbilt.

"Most of the matches last year were blowouts," he said. "This team is much more solid and much more competitive. You'll see good results from us this year."

The Spartans contest against Louisville on Sunday was not complete at the time of press. Next up for MSU is the home opener against the University of Illinois-Chicago at 10 a.m. Sunday at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.

Swimmers dominate in individual events

The MSU swimming and diving teams faced mixed results over the weekend.

In Friday night's meet with Northwestern, the Spartan men smashed the Wildcats 131-91 to claim their second straight victory, while the women dropped their contest by a narrow 114-109.

The men took first-place finishes in nine of the 13 events, claiming eight individual titles. In defeat, the Spartan women claimed four individual event titles and one relay title.

In Saturday's meet, both teams picked up victories over Ball State.

The Cardinals - women and men - came in with a combined record of 18-2, however, MSU dominated the competition, taking individual titles in 18 of 22 events.

After just falling short of a win Friday night, the women routed the Cardinals taking first place in 10 of 11 events, winning 139-102. On the men's side, the Spartans earned eight event wins on the way to their third consecutive win, 136-104.

In their next match, the MSU swimming and diving teams face Ohio State in a 4 p.m. meet Friday in Columbus, Ohio.

Spartans finish last

In the first match of the 2003 campaign, the MSU gymnastics team opened the season with a last place finish in the MSU Invitational on Friday night.

In the three-team competition, No. 13 Oregon State took first place, followed by Auburn.

MSU opened strong, scoring high in the first two events, but stumbled to the third-place finish in the last half of the competition.

In defeat, three Spartans finished in the top three in two events.

On the vault, freshman Sarah Alexander finished second in her collegiate debut with senior co-captain Christy Linder placing third in the event.

Senior Julie Devaty also garnered a top-three finish, as she claimed third on the balance beam.

MSU will hit the road for its next meet against No. 18 Iowa State at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hilton Coliseum.