Wayne State University Athletics

Women's Tennis 9/18/2025 1:30:00 PM Henry Coyle, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Women's Tennis to Compete at Chargers Fall Invitational

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's tennis team will open the 2025-26 season at Hillsdale College for the Chargers Fall Invitational. The event will begin on Friday, September 19, and conclude on Saturday, September 20.

The Wayne State women's tennis team returns for the 2025-26 campaign after an impressive year a season ago. The Green and Gold claimed the GLIAC Regular Season Title, Midwest Regional Title, and made its third consecutive NCAA Quarterfinal appearance.

Joining WSU this weekend will be the University of Findlay, Walsh University, and the tournament's host, Hillsdale. The Warriors faced UF and the Chargers during the 2024-25 campaign, besting the Oilers 4-3 and topping HC 5-2. In last year's meeting with Findlay, Malak Arafat (Alexandria, Egypt / Lycée Français d'Alexandrie) nabbed a come from behind victory in the No. 2-singles position (4-6, 6-1, 7-6) while Dea Gorgidze (Tbilisi, Georgia / Tbilisi Public School N145 [Western Michigan]) claimed a 6-0, 6-2 triumph in the third flight. While facing Hillsdale, Arafat (6-4, 6-1) and Gorgidze (6-3, 1-6, 6-3) once more earned a pair of wins, while Shanice Weekes (London, England / Fortismere S.S.) added another in the No. 4-spot, prevailing 6-4, 6-2.

Both Walsh and Hillsdale have seen action this season, with the Cavaliers participating in the Allegheny Invitational (August 30-31) and defeating West Virginia State 6-1 (September 10), while HC hosted its Chargers Summer Invitational two weeks ago (September 6-7).

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Players Mentioned

Malak Arafat: 5' 11"; Senior

Dea Gorgidze: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

Shanice Weekes: 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Malak Arafat
: 5' 11"; Senior

Dea Gorgidze
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

Shanice Weekes
: 5' 6"; Senior