Ferris State Women's Tennis Captures GLIAC Tourney Championship In Thrilling Finish

Championship Celebration 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - A thrilling finish gave the Ferris State University women's tennis squad a complete sweep of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships this year as the Bulldogs beat West Michigan rival Grand Valley State 4-3 on Sunday (April 24) in the league tournament title match at the Greater Midland Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs, who previously won the league's regular-season championship this year for the first time since 2002, battled back to beat the Lakers and claim the GLIAC Tourney title. The win was FSU's 16th consecutive triumph this year and third in as many days as the top seed at the league tournament.

In the title match against third-seeded GVSU, the Bulldogs took the initial point of the match in the doubles round by taking the second and third flights by identical 6-3 scores.

However, in singles action, the Lakers responded. Grand Valley State captured three of the first four completed matches to grab a 3-2 edge on the Bulldogs with the final two contests, at #2 and #4 singles, hitting the court as the first four matches came to a close.

The Bulldogs needed wins in both remaining contests to pull out the victory. FSU's Agata Klak earned a 6-1, 6-4 triumph at four singles, knotting the match up at 3-3 and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

After falling in the opening set 6-2, the Bulldogs' Sophie Daavettila rallied for a 6-3 win in the second frame to force the deciding third set. In the finale, she jumped in front early and pulled out a 6-2 victory as the Bulldog squad erupted in celebration.

Along with Klak and Daavettila, the Bulldogs also got an important 6-4, 6-1 victory by Isabela Paixao at three singles.

As the winner of the GLIAC Tournament, the Bulldogs also earned the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Prior to this season, the Bulldogs had not won either the GLIAC's regular-season or tournament titles since claiming both in 2002. The women's squad also joined the Bulldog men's team in completing the sweep of both league crowns on Sunday in Midland.

The official matchups and selections for the NCAA Division II Tournament will be announced on May 4.

The complete boxscore can be found at this link:
https://ferrisstate.prestosports.com/sports/wten/2020-21/files/FS-GVWT_Final.pdf