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The Maryland women’s tennis team looked to send their two seniors out on a high note during this weekend’s final two home games of the season, but instead, the Terps got destroyed by Michigan State and Michigan to extend their losing streak to nine matches.
With losses Friday and Sunday afternoons, the Terps fell to 3-16 overall and 1-8 in the Big Ten with two road matches remaining in the regular season.
Friday: Michigan State 4, Maryland 0
Doubles play was the most exciting part of Friday’s match, as the three matches were all lengthy battles, but the Spartans took the point as they won two of the three games. Arnelle Sullivan and Anastasiia Gevel finished their match first but lost 6-4. Saya Usui and Kate Yemelyanenka won their match 6-4 to bring all eyes to Eva Alexandrova and Millie Stretton’s match, but the duo lost 7-5 to put the Terps in a 1-0 hole.
Things didn’t go well from there for Maryland, as Gevel kicked off singles play by losing 6-0, 6-0. Sullivan was the next to fall as she lost 6-2, 6-2, to put the Terps in a 3-0 hole. Usui wrapped up the loss by falling 7-5, 6-1.
Sunday: Michigan 5, Maryland 0
In their last home game of the spring, the Terps stayed true to form this season and lost yet again.
In the doubles portion, Sullivan and Gevel lost 6-2 while Usui and Yemelyanenka also fell 6-2. Stretton and Alexandrova were unable to complete their tight doubles match as it finished 5-5.
Maryland never stood a chance in singles play and was blown out in all four of the completed singles matches to solidify a 5-0 loss. Stretton was the first to lose as she fell 6-0, 6-1. Alexandrova then fell 6-2, 6-1 and Sullivan lost 6-0, 6-1. Despite the match already being decided, Sullivan was able to finish her final home match of her career by losing 6-4, 6-1.
Sunday’s game marked the final home match for seniors Arnelle Sullivan and Millie Stretton. Maryland finished its home schedule with only two wins at the JTCC this season. The Terps will wrap up their regular-season schedule in Indiana next weekend with matches against the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana Hoosiers.