Underdog conference victories are rare, but oh so sweet. Especially when an undefeated team is facing a completely defeated team. This certainly was the case as the women's tennis team hosted the Mid-American Conference's best.
The Buffalo women's tennis team (7-7 overall, 0-5 MAC) ventured to the Village Glen Tennis Center this weekend with the intention of moving out of last place with victories over first place the Marshall Thundering Herd (14-3, 4-0 MAC) as well as the Miami of Ohio RedHawks (10-9, 3-2 MAC). Unfortunately, their hopes never saw the light of day in either match.
Marshall's squad was relentless, sweeping with victories in every singles and doubles match and defeated the Bulls 7-0.
MU's Jessica Johnson met up with UB's Miglena Nenova in both the singles and doubles competitions. Johnson and her doubles partner, Ashley Kroh, downed Nenova along with Kristen Ortman, 8-3. Even after Buffalo's strongest duo lead 2-0, Johnson was victorious against Nenova yet again in singles competition, winning 6-4, 6-2.
Ortman was left limping after her singles match against Alice Sukner in a losing effort, as well as an injured ankle. Ortman was able to battle her way to a 2-1 lead before having to play in pain. She was ultimately defeated, 6-2, 6-1.
UB Head Coach Kathy Twist remained positive in response to her team's effort.
"The games were closer than the scores looked," Twist said.
Regardless of the outcome, she felt her team accomplished what they set out to do.
"What we want to accomplish when we play a good team like this is to be physically confident for every point no matter the outcome," said Twist.
Twist and her girls have a chance to add a MAC win to their record tomorrow against Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m.
Saturday included more of the same as Buffalo dropped their second conference match-up of the weekend to the Miami 5-2, resulting in their fourth consecutive loss.
The Bulls started off strong, with Ortman and Nenova grabbing an 8-6 win from Miami's Katrina Lomidze and Linda Jirouskova. Miami fought back to tie things up at 6-6, when Ortman and Nenova took the final two games to win the match 8-6.
The RedHawks were able to take the doubles point by winning the other two matches thanks to Megan Zimpfer and Remy Swain defeating Bulls Katrin Fischer and Sheri Ugowski, 8-2. In the final doubles match, Miami's Nancy Wiegand and Maura Trauernicht silenced UB's duo of Lisa Wittman and Erica Zielinski by a score of 8-0.
Despite a sprained ankle, Kristen Ortman was also able to post a singles victory for the Bulls, defeating Jirouskova 6-2, 6-1.
"Kristen had a sprained ankle, but was really able to tough it out today, and came out with the goods," said Twist.
Unfortunately, Miami was able to take the final two remaining singles matches and come away with the victory 5-2.
"I would like to see more consistency. We need a lot more balls to go over the net and into the court, so we can come up with more wins," said Twist.
The girls play their final home match this Friday against Akron. The match will be held at the UB Tennis Center, weather permitting.
