Running right through their competition, the Bulls stampeded over the Red Flash on Saturday, ousting St. Francis (Penn.) in a flawless 7-0 victory at home.
Buffalo won the opening point by taking the first three doubles matches. UB's first doubles team of juniors Katrin Fischer and Miglena Nenova beat St. Francis' Ruxandra Ionescu and Eva Keresztes, 8-0.
The second doubles team of senior Kristen Ortman and sophomore Natalie Dean toppled the duo of Mallary Palmer and Danielle Gauthier, 8-1. Sophomores Andreea Novaceanu and Tina Jacob had a scoreless win over Rebecca Seybold and Johnna Jackson.
The Bulls had six singles competitors that all picked up wins in straight sets. In the next four matches, the Bulls earned a "double bagel" 6-0,6-0 in two through five matches.
Head coach Kathy Twist was satisfied with her team's performance but insists that the team can always do better.
"We're still working on our mental toughness and footwork," Twist said. "We want to be successful, playing the right shots at the right time and hustling for the points."
On paper, this match seemed like a perfect performance. Twist said that's not far from the truth.
"The numbers do reflect how strong the team is. We have very talented players and they are very focused on what they need to do," Twist said.
At no point during the match did the Red Flash pose any threat.
"We didn't struggle at all, the girls ran right through the matches, we worked really hard and had great teamwork," Twist said.
Although the women's performance seemed easy, Twist acknowledges Mid-American Conference matches against powerhouses Marshall and Western Michigan will prove to be much more difficult.
"We will be tested in our next few matches. I'd like to put more focus on our serve and return-that will help us put our opponent in a bad place right away," Twist said. "Some of the top MAC teams will likely be stronger than St. Francis."
Overall, the team score is what matters in the end.
The members of the team also sets aside time for individual goals.
"The girls know they must advance their own skills and stay in shape, all while developing communication, supporting the other teammates and helping them stay focused," Twist said.
Although the spring is the primary season for Bulls' tennis, the women are taking full advantage of the fall competition.
"Beating good players and becoming confident with the right mental attitude," Twist said. "At the end of next season hopefully we will be holding a championship trophy."
Friday's match work was a key part of that fall conditioning and Twist said that her team passed the test.
"The goal this week was to hustle and not become discouraged if the match didn't go our way," Twist said. "The girls were just super."
The next test for the women's tennis team will be the ITA regional tournament hosted by West Point. This is a tournament for the best of the Division I-A schools. There will be 88 of the regions top teams, and each team will only bring its top players.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
