MIDLAND, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's tennis team opened play at the 2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Friday at the Greater Midland Tennis Center.

The No. 8 seed Cardinals went up against top-seed Ferris State University. After FSU took three close doubles matches, all by a 6-4 score, to go up 1-0, the Bulldogs won at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 singles to close out a 4-0 win.

The tournament is being played under clinch-match rules, resulting in the match ending once one team has earned four points.

In singles competition, Sara Neves fell at the No. 1 position 6-0, 6-1, while Emma Charlton dropped her match at No. 2, 6-2, and 6-3. Gyselle Daza Gutierrez fell in a close first set 6-4 at No. 4 singles before dropping the second set 6-1.

SVSU will move into the consolation bracket and will play either No. 4 Northwood University or No. 5 Michigan Tech at 2:30 pm Saturday in Midland, Mich.