Coming into the weekend, the UB women's tennis team was looking to pick up their first conference win and send a message to a possible Mid-American Conference tournament opponent.
The Bulls, however, were not able to do either when they fell to Toledo at the Village Glen Tennis Center.
UB continued their winless streak in MAC play as the Rockets (7-11, 2-5 MAC) defeated them 6-1. UB (6-11, 0-7 MAC) got in a singles win to avoid the complete Toledo sweep. Toledo is one of only three MAC teams so far to allow Buffalo to take a point.
"They are much better than they were last year," said Bulls Head Coach Kathy Twist. "I wasn't surprised because I knew they were coming in a little stronger."
Buffalo's only win came from freshman Kristen Ortman at number two singles. She bested Viviana Rivero 6-4, 6-2.
"She's really come along, and she's only a freshman," said Twist.
Monica Ribero and Rivero defeated UB's senior Karen Maynard and Ortman at number one doubles 9-8 (7-5). On the next court, UB sophomores Michelle Kollarova and Erica Zielinski fell to Daniella Moran and Eva Szuch 9-8, (7-3). The Rockets' final doubles team of Jen Meister and Eunice Paravicini took only 10 sets to defeat junior Lisa Wittman and sophomore Sheri Ugowski of UB, 8-2.
"That is a learning situation," Twist said. "You want to be in these situations, so that when it really counts, like in the championships, you'll have it. You've been there, you've done it, you understand how to work through it."
The large home crowd at the Village Glen got excited as the Bulls led at number one and two doubles. Both teams were up 7-5 at one point, and as they only play to eight, it looked as though the matches were in the bag. The Toledo girls mounted a comeback on both courts, however, pushing both to a pair of 8-8 ties. The dramatic tiebreakers ended in heartbreaking UB losses in both cases.
"They could have pulled it out but I think a little bit of nerves got in the way, because they had match point a couple of times," said Twist.
The singles matches were not as close. Maynard fell again to Ribero 6-1, 6-0 at number one singles. Kollarova was handed a loss by Paravicini of Toledo, 6-1, 6-1 on the third court. Zielinski challenged Szuch, but lost both matches 6-4, 6-4. The Rockets' Daniella Moran bested Wittman 6-0, 6-2 and her teammate Meister took UB sophomore Wendy Rose 6-0, 6-1.
Maynard, the team's lone senior, celebrated her last home match with cake, Krispy Kreme and a large cheering section.
The upcoming MAC tournament is shaping up to be a showdown between Marshall and Eastern Michigan. Both teams are currently undefeated. The starting matches will be decided after this weekend, which is the last of MAC play.
"I think we'll probably face either Toledo, Miami or Northern Illinois," Twist said. "I think we could beat any one of those teams."
The Bulls are done playing at home. Their last two regular season matches are against Ball State and Bowling Green, this Friday and Saturday, respectively.
"When you have the opportunity, when you have the ball on your racket, and it's a finishing shot, it's got to be finished," Twist said. "You can't give them another shot. These teams are way too good to give them two chances."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
