Wayne State University Athletics

Women's Tennis 3/27/2025 10:00:00 AM Henry Coyle, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Women's Tennis to Host Davenport and Grand Valley State

DETROIT -- The No. 32-ranked Wayne State University women's tennis team will play host to Davenport University and No. 28-ranked Grand Valley State University. The Warriors will first compete against the Panthers on Friday, March 28, followed by the squad's match with GVSU on Saturday, March 29, with both matches set to begin at 2:00 PM.

LAST TIME OUT
The Green and Gold earned a victory in the team's last match, prevailing 5-2 at home over Oakland University.

WSU struck first, winning two-of-three doubles matches to earn the first point of the match. The hosts collected four wins in singles competition as the Warriors triumphed 5-2 against their Division I foe.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Thus far in the campaign, Davenport is 8-7 overall with a 1-1 mark against GLIAC opponents. The Panthers have won four of their last five matches, including a 7-0 victory vs. Roosevelt University last week (March 22). WSU has won in all seven contests between the squads, including a 7-0 sweep last season at DU.

At the helm for the Panthers is Patrick Grashorn. Grashorn, now in his 15th year, has helped Davenport to a 187-168 mark. The long-time coach also serves as the head man for the men's tennis team as well, leading the team to a 193-153 ledger.

SCOUTING THE LAKERS
The Lakers enter their contest at Ferris State University (March 28) with an 8-3 overall mark and a 2-0 record in conference play. Last week, GVSU downed Roosevelt 7-0 and Purdue University Northwest 5-2. Wayne State has captured each of the last four meetings between the programs, including last year's 4-0 win in the GLIAC Tournament Championship.

Samantha Barr is in her sixth season as the head coach of the Grand Valley State women's tennis team, helping the squad to an 86-36 ledger. Barr leads the way for the GVSU men's tennis team as well, leading it to a 67-40 mark.

ITA RANKINGS UPDATE
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its newest poll on Wednesday, March 26, with WSU appearing as the No. 32-ranked squad in Division II. In singles competition, Martyna Szpakowska (Gdansk, Poland / Sopocka Akademia Tenisowa) (No. 33-ranked), Anais Ruyssen (Nantes, France / Enfants-Nantais [Keiser]) (No. 50-ranked), and Malak Arafat (Alexandria, Egypt / Lycée Français d'Alexandrie) (No. 64-ranked) were the three Warriors to receive a ranking.

The pairings of Arafat and Szpakowska (No. 14-ranked), Dea Gorgidze (Tbilisi, Georgia / Tbilisi Public School N145 [Western Michigan]) and Ruyssen (No. 15-ranked), and Shantala Uzcategui (Hoyo de La Puerta, Venezuela / Unidad Educativa Colegio Madre Matilde [Walsh]) and Ruyssen (No. 48-ranked) represented the Green and Gold on the doubles side.

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Players Mentioned

Malak Arafat: 5' 11"; Junior

Dea Gorgidze: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Anais Ruyssen: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Martyna Szpakowska: 5' 8"; Junior

Shantala Uzcategui: 5' 3"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Malak Arafat
: 5' 11"; Junior

Dea Gorgidze
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Anais Ruyssen
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Martyna Szpakowska
: 5' 8"; Junior

Shantala Uzcategui
: 5' 3"; Redshirt Junior