Sept. 28, 2008

Contact: Dana Ingraham

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- CSU encountered tough competition and mild frustration on day one of the Michigan State Spartan Invitational.

The Vikings entered the weekend following successful tournaments at Detroit and Bowling Green, but struggled against both new and familiar opponents Saturday afternoon.

Marshall swept CSU in the only doubles matches of the day. Catrine Bjerrehus and Charlotte Gibbons made it a match against Kellie Schmitt and Karolina Soor at No. 1 but were defeated 8-6.

The next challenge was Bowling Green, a competitor that CSU saw last weekend and handled quite well. Bjerrehus was the only Viking to emerge victorious this time, playing her first match at No. 2 and defeating Kelsey Jakupcin 6-2, 6-1. The rest of the team each lost in two sets, with Denisa Muntean forced to retire after suffering a knee injury in the middle of her match.

"It was really disappointing to lose to Bowling Green the way that we did today," said head coach Brian Etzkin. "I thought we could do a lot better. We didn't compete as well as we should have.

"We have a dual match against BG in January, so when we see them again, we will be ready."

Louisville also swept the Vikings in the second round of singles play, and although CSU did not score a point, the team came out much more aggressive as three out of the six matches went to three sets.

Jo-Ann Van Aerde handed Bjerrehus her first lost of the season and of her collegiate career, ending her impressive seven match winning streak. Jackie Tabb and Molly Drake also lost hard fought three set matches at No. 3 and No. 6.

"We played a lot better as a team against Louisville," Etzkin said. "I think the team took the morning's results personally and even though we didn't score, by the afternoon we were playing good quality tennis."

Play continues Sunday morning at 8 a.m. with doubles matches against Detroit and Toledo and singles matches against Michigan State.

Michigan State Spartan Invitational
First Day Results

Doubles
Schmitt/Soor (Marshall) def. Bjerrehus/Gibbons (CSU), 8-6
Keener/Bailey (Marshall) def. Bjelan/Muntean (CSU), 8-1
Kellner/Lock (Marshall) def. Pepino/Drake (CSU), 8-0

Singles
Christine Chiricosta (BGSU) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU) def. Kelsey Jakupcin (BGSU), 6-2, 6-1
Katia Babina (BGSU) def. Jackie Tabb (CSU), 6-3, 6-1
Samantha Kintzel (BGSU) def. Myra Pepino (CSU), 6-2, 6-0
Stefanie Menoff (BGSU) def. Denisa Muntean (CSU), 6-1, 2-1, ret.
Libby Harrison (BGSU) def. Sanda Bjelan (CSU), 6-2, 6-4
Ashley Stockwell (Michigan State) def. Molly Drake (CSU), 6-1, 6-0

Bianca Gorbea (Louisville) def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 7-5, 6-2
Jo-Ann VanAerde (Louisville) def. Catrine Bjerrehus (CSU), 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
Lindsey Jones (Louisville) def. Jackie Tabb (CSU), 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5)
Natalia Baez (Louisville) def. Myra Pepino (CSU), 6-2, 6-3
Amelia Harris (Louisville) def. Sanda Bjelan (CSU), 6-1, 6-3
Gabrielle Duncan (Louisville) def. Molly Drake (CSU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3