DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's tennis team (1-0) triumphed 4-3 over the University of Findlay (5-1) in the squad's home opener.

DOUBLES
The Warriors won all three matches, claiming the doubles point.

In the No. 1 position, Anais Ruyssen (Nantes, France / Enfants-Nantais [Keiser]) and Dea Gorgidze (Tbilisi, Georgia / Tbilisi Public School N145 [Western Michigan]) handled business by defeating UF's top pairing of Polina Zaytseva and Maria Valentina Salek Rivero 6-2 while leading the entire way.

Malak Arafat (Alexandria, Egypt / Lycée Français d'Alexandrie) and Shanice Weekes (London, England / Fortismere S.S.) went down 2-0 early in their match with Anamarija Kovacevic and Elina Ivanova.  Despite the early deficit, Arafat and Weekes rallied back, tallying four consecutive points and winning 6-3.

The duo of Shantala Uzcategui (Hoyo de La Puerta, Venezuela / Unidad Educativa Colegio Madre Matilde [Walsh]) and Justine Beaulieu (Montreal, Que. / Collège de Montréal High School) found themselves tied 3-3 with Audrey Ouellet and Charlie Croteau.  The next three points belonged to the Green and Gold as Uzcategui and Beaulieu won 6-3.

SINGLES
In the No. 1 singles position, Ruyssen earned a hard-fought victory as she downed Anamarija Kovacevic 7-5, 6-2.

After falling in the first set 6-4, Arafat clawed back in the second (6-1) to force a tie-breaker set.  The junior triumphed 7-6, securing the win.

Gorgidze had a dominant performance while competing in the No. 3 slot.  The redshirt junior toppled Maria Valentina Salek Rivero 6-0, 6-2.

Weekes won her first set against Elina Ivanova 6-4 but lost the second set 7-6.  The Warrior continued to battle, but lost due to an injury default.

Beaulieu was bested by Ivanova Lucero 6-1, 6-4 in the No. 5 slot.  The WSU student-athlete was tied with the Oiler 3-3 in the second set, but Lucero notched three of the next four points to earn a victory.

In the No. 6 position, Uzcategui was defeated by Audrey Ouellet 6-3, 6-1.

FROM HEAD COACH YAHSHA MOORE
"We knew today was going to be a tough match, so I'm glad we were able to dive back into our season with good competition. This was a great way for us to see where we are as a team, and to show us what we need to work on to sharpen up for the rest of the year. I'm really proud of everyone for stepping up today, and I'm excited for the rest of the season."

UP NEXT
The Wayne State women's tennis team will return to the court on Friday, February 28 as the Green and Gold will travel to Hillsdale, Mich. to face Hillsdale College.