Spartan Women’s Tennis Tangles With West Coast Big Ten Opponents
Michigan State women’s tennis travels to California for a set of dual matches against new Big Ten opponents USC and UCLA.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 58 Michigan State women's tennis travels to the West Coast this weekend to face off against No. 16 USC on Saturday, Mar. 22 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT and No. 24 UCLA on Sunday, Mar. 23 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
The Spartans currently hold a 2-2 Big Ten Conference record after upsetting No. 44 Nebraska and No. 33 Penn State.
Most recently, the Spartans fell to then No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes in a sweep of 4-0.
Overall, the Green & White have posted a 10-5 record on the season, going 7-1 at home, 2-3 on the road and 1-1 in neutral territory.
Looking forward, the No. 58 ranked team hopes to slate more upsets against their new Big Ten opponents on the road.
Series History vs. USC
MSU women's tennis has faced this California foe only twice in the program's history, with the last matchup occurring during the 2023-24 season.
In both matchups, one in Los Angeles, Calif., and the other in East Lansing, Mich., the Spartans were clipped by the Trojans, going 0-4 in the 2008-09 season and 1-6 in the 2023-24 season.
The Green & White aspire to clinch their first victory against USC, and nab another upset this season.
Scouting No. 16 USC
USC is ranked No. 16 and currently holds an overall 8-2 record going into this weekend, falling to No. 13 Auburn and No. 28 Pepperdine.
In Big Ten Conference play, the Trojans are 2-0, facing the familiar additions to the Big Ten, Washington and Oregon, where USC claimed victories in both matches.
The Trojans currently have three ranked singles players, No. 46 Grace Piper, No. 69 Emma Charney and No. 82 Imogen Haddad.
In doubles action, USC maintains a top slot, with Lily Fairclough and Grace Piper being ranked at No. 5 overall by ITA.
It is yet another week where the competition for the Spartans is fierce.
Series History Against UCLA
MSU women's tennis has a limited history against the Bruins, with just one match occurring between the Big Ten foes in the 2014-15 season.
The Spartans traveled to UCLA's home turf during this time, ultimately falling 0-4.
With this, the Spartans hope to even the score with the Bruins, earning their first win against their new B1G competitor.
Scouting No. 24 UCLA
UCLA, currently ranked No. 24, has had a loaded schedule, facing nine ranked opponents in the former weeks.
Holding a 6-5 overall record, the Bruins have earned a 1-1 Big Ten Conference record, winning against Oregon and falling to No. 19 Washington.
Prior to facing Michigan State, UCLA meets with the No. 5 ranked Michigan tennis team at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
While the Bruins do not have any singles players or doubles duos ranked, they are still a great force to be reckoned with.
Up Next
The Spartans return to East Lansing for a set of dual matches against Northwestern on Fri. Mar. 28 at 5 p.m. and Illinois on Sun. Mar. 30 at 10 a.m.
On Fri. Mar. 28 during the match against Northwestern, the Green & White will honor lone senior Liisa Vehvilainen in her Senior Celebration Presented by HAP.
All home matches are played at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center.
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's tennis. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's tennis team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WTennis
Spartan Women’s Tennis Tangles With West Coast Big Ten Opponents - Michigan State University Athletics
No. 58 Michigan State women's tennis travels to the West Coast this weekend to face off against No. 16 USC on Saturday Mar. 22 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT and ...
