Returning for its first home match in nearly three weeks, the women's tennis team split their final two games before the Mid-American Conference Championships. The Bulls defeated Toledo 5-2 on Friday, but fell to Eastern Michigan 4-3 on Saturday.
Coming out strong against Toledo, The Bulls picked up five wins in singles play. Five of the six singles matches went into three sets, and the match lasted an unheard of five hours. With the win the Bulls improved to 9-7 and 4-3 in the MAC.
Toledo (14-6, 5-3 MAC) squeaked out a 9-7 victory in the deciding match at first doubles to claim the doubles point. In the third doubles match, Bulls' seniors Andreea Novaceanu and Tina Jacob defeated Toledo's Sarah Horning and Jenny Belsky, 8-2.
In singles play, four of Buffalo's five victories went into three sets. First, Novaceanu quickly defeated Martina Wodzinski, 6-3. After Toledo reclaimed the lead with a victory by Jessica Azoulay over Jacob, the Bulls responded by winning the next four matches. Sophomore Denise Harijanto started the rally by defeating Ashley Frey 6-4, 2-6, 6-0, and sophomore Diana Toia followed with a 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2 win over Nadia Zaubareva. Junior Smaranda Stan clinched the match for the Bulls with her 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, victory over Jenny Belsky. Capping off the victory, freshman Diana Popescu defeated Maha Guirguis, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (2).
In their final regular season match, the Bulls came out on the wrong side of a close 4-3 decision against Eastern Michigan (7-12, 5-3 MAC) on Buffalo's senior day. Despite claiming three singles victories, Buffalo again failed to pick up the doubles point.
In Saturday's singles action, the first of Buffalo's three victories came as Harijanto defeated Aditi Krishnan 6-3, 6-2. Freshman Diana Popescu defeated Catharina Bestehorn 7-6 (4), 6-2, and Smaranda Stan followed with a 7-5, 5-7, 1-0 (8), victory over Eastern Michigan's Sandra Wikstrom. With the wins, Popescu and Stan remain tied for the team-lead for singles wins with 24.
The Bulls finished the regular season with a 9-8 record, going 4-4 in the MAC. They now turn their focus to the MAC Championships, which will be hosted by Buffalo. Although UB's opponent has not yet been determined, their quarterfinal match is scheduled for Friday, April 25th.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
