No. 59 Northwestern split Big Ten matches against No. 17 Michigan and No. 75 Michigan State this weekend.
The Wildcats (12-8, 5-4 Big Ten) started out strong with a win over the Spartans (10-10, 3-7 Big Ten) on Saturday, taking a contested doubles point. Freshman Margot Phanthala and sophomore Erica Jessel, currently ranked No. 42 in doubles, beat Michigan State’s Ellie Blackford and Matilde Morais, the pairing ranked No. 43. Junior Autumn Rabjohns and sophomore Mika Dagan Fruchtman secured the doubles point for NU with a 6-4 win.
In singles, freshman Marelie Raath finished first with a clean 6-3, 6-3 win over Michigan State’s Issey Purser. Jessel followed with a 7-5, 6-2, win over Michigan State’s Nina Plihal. No. 89 Phanthala lost a tough three-setter to Amara Brahmbhatt 6-3, 4-6, 3-6. Phanthala, who was ranked No. 39 in November, has struggled mildly in the No. 1 spot, currently standing at 7-10 on the season…