A rescheduled match with Michigan State from Feb. 1 was finally played this weekend on Feb. 22 in East Lansing, Michigan.

The afternoon dual saw the Spartans jump all over the Falcons en route to a 7-0 victory.

The youthful Falcons have been learning to play at the highest level against seasoned teams all year, but this dual added another element to overcome.

Injuries caused the Falcons to field only five players, all of which were first-year players.

The injuries also caused the team to forfeit the third doubles and sixth singles flights.

Freshmen Megan Miller and Emily Witt paired against MSU doubles duo of Hilary Hager and Julianna Gruber in top flight doubles action.

Miller and Witt never trailed in the match with Hager and Gruber, with leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. The Spartan tandem tied the match three times before the match was stopped at 3-3.

A similar story came in the fourth flight singles match between MSU’s Colleen O’Brien and BG’s Antonina Farrar.

After a first set defeat to O’Brien, 6-0, Farrar had to retire before the second set giving O’Brien the victory.

The remaining Falcons in action found similar results.

Second flight doubles saw the Falcon duo of Leeah Floyd and Sydney Seeley face off with Anna Zelechonok and Aslina Chu.

The Spartan duo started out with a 3-0 lead, but Floyd and Seeley fired back taking two of the next three games to close the gap at 4-2.

Ultimately the effort was not enough as the Spartans took the next two games to win 6-2.

Singles action saw all Falcons defeated in straight sets.

Miller’s top flight match with Athena Trouillot ended 6-2 6-2, Witt was defeated by Emily Meyers 6-3 6-1, Floyd defeated by Allie Baer 6-0 6-0, and Seeley 6-2 6-0.

The storyline continues of a young Falcon squad trying to find its way this season, while showing its competitive spirit.

For the five first-year Falcons that battled all day, head coach Olga Elkin took note of the challenges faced and the effort given on the day.

“It was a tough day today, but the girls fought hard and competed well,” said head coach Olga Elkin.

Now there is a short break to rest up and get the rest of the Falcon tennis team back on the court as the next match is set for Feb. 27 against IPFW.