A loss to Miami (OH) on Friday wasn't going to impede the women's tennis team's hopes of ending on a high note during the final road game of the season.
On Saturday, the Bulls (11-4, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) visited Muncie, Ind., to take on the Ball State Cardinals (5-9, 0-3 MAC), looking to stay at the top of the conference standings. At the end of the match, Buffalo's wish was granted, as they defeated the Cardinals, 6-1.
The win sets up Buffalo for its final three home games prior to the MAC Tournament in Bowling Green, Ohio.
"It's a great position to be in," said head coach Kathy Twist. "We're learning with every match. We're in a great place."
Buffalo won the lone doubles point of the match thanks to wins from its No. 1 and No. 3 teams. The first team, made up of junior Denise Harjianto and sophomore Diana Popescu, defeated Georgina Thompson and Dena Boulieris, 8-2. The win extended the duo's winning streak to eight matches.
Buffalo's second team, made up of freshman Sofya Ivanyuk and senior Smaranda Stan, fell to Sarah Hebble and Kylee Johnson of Ball State, 8-5. It was the only doubles win by the Cardinals. Buffalo's No. 3 team, consisting of junior Anna Subenkova and sophomore Aleksandra Petrova, defeated Rachel Surowiec and Hanna Oman of the Cardinals, 8-3.
In singles play, the Bulls won five of six possible matches. Harijanto earned a shutout against Sarah Hebble, defeating her 6-0, 6-0. Stan earned another point for Buffalo, defeating Kylee Johnson, 6-0, 6-1.
In second singles, Popescu earned a win against Boulieris, 6-3, 6-1, while Petrova earned a straight sets win in fifth singles against Thomson, 6-2, 6-1. Junior Diana Toia earned a win against Hayley Hall in fourth singles, 6-4, 6-2.
With the win, the Bulls look ahead to Friday's match against Western Michigan. The clash will feature the MAC's two best teams. In order to defeat the conference's best team, Twist feels that the team needs to continue delivering on the court.
"We need to keep the attitude of dominance," Twist said. "We want to bring intensity to each and every match."
Another factor in Buffalo doing well, according to Twist, is Stan's leadership on the court. Stan is the only senior on the team, so Twist feels she has a great deal of responsibility on her shoulders.
"We need [Stan] to step up the pace," Twist said. "We need her to show what a true warrior is. She's outstanding in her singles matches. She finds a way to win against very tough opponents, and we need her to continue that success."
Buffalo's matchup against the Broncos will take place Friday at 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
