Friday, December 5, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

MSU women’s tennis to face USC in Big Ten Tournament after milestone season

April 23, 2025
<p>A Michigan State player prepares to return a serve during one of the team's final home matches against Washington at the MSU Tennis Center on April 12, 2025.</p>

A Michigan State player prepares to return a serve during one of the team's final home matches against Washington at the MSU Tennis Center on April 12, 2025.

Michigan State University women’s tennis has officially closed out its regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2019-20, finishing 13-11 overall and 5-8 in Big Ten play. With the regular season complete, the Spartans now turn their focus to the Big Ten Tournament.

The Spartans earned the No. 11 seed in the tournament, holding the tiebreaker over Purdue, and will face No. 6 seed USC in the opening round.

“This team has been doing well all season, and this team is capable of anything,” MSU women's tennis head coach Kim Bruno said after the Spartans' win against Oregon on Senior day, “I have been saying that all season long.”

Michigan State previously faced USC on March 22 in Los Angeles, falling 4-0.

In that match, MSU struggled to find a rhythm and scored just two games in doubles play. Senior Liisa Vehviläinen and redshirt sophomore Oriana Parkins-Godwin fell 6-0 to USC’s No. 11-ranked doubles duo of senior Grace Piper and junior Lily Fairclough. MSU’s other doubles team, freshman Ellie Blackford and junior Issey Purser, earned the only games for the Spartans in a 6-2 loss, while the third match went unfinished.

In singles, the Spartans continued to struggle, as USC won the first three matches to clinch a 4-0 sweep.

Now more familiar with its West Coast opponent, Michigan State will look to bounce back against USC on Tuesday, April 23, at 9 p.m. ET in Ojai, California.

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

Discussion

Share and discuss “MSU women’s tennis to face USC in Big Ten Tournament after milestone season” on social media.