Bulldog Women's Tennis Battles Strong In Double Dip At D1 Western Michigan

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's tennis squad hit the court for the first time this spring on Sunday (Jan. 23), falling to NCAA Division I Western Michigan in an exhibition doubleheader at the West Hills Athletic Club in Kalamazoo.

The host Broncos took the opening match by a 7-0 score and came back to earn the sweep with a 4-0 triumph in the second contest. Both were considered exhibition tilts for FSU.

"The scores don't tell the entire story of the day," said FSU head coach Mark Doren. "We came into today's matchup against a strong Division I school without three of our top four players due to injuries and illness, but yet we had some tremendous efforts out of many players who moved up into spots they've never played before.

"We schedule this exhibition each year to show our players they have what it takes to play at any level," he added. "The girls were pumped after playing the two matches in one day and can't wait to start our Division II season in early February."

In the opening contest, the Broncos took the three doubles flights and managed to sweep the six singles contests. They then came back in the second affair and claimed two of the three doubles flights before winning the second, third and sixth singles contests to complete the win.

FSU's top doubles tandem of Agata Klak and Sam Stephenson was knotted up 3-3 at the number one doubles spot in the second outing before the match was stopped once WMU claimed the doubles point. Additionally, Klak was battling at the top singles flight and held a 3-1 edge in the second set before going unfinished due to the completion of the second contest.

"Agata stepped up to #1 singles and played possibly the highest level of tennis I've seen her play in her four years at Ferris State," said Doren. "I was actually extremely proud of all four seniors who lead by example all day long."

The Bulldogs, who are the defending GLIAC Champions, are slated to open regular-season play on Feb. 12 at Findlay in a regional non-league tilt.