The women's tennis team has been struggling all season with its non-conference opponents. Things didn't get any easier when it started conference play this past weekend.
The Bulls (4-8, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) hoped to start MAC competition on the right foot as they hosted Bowling Green (10-4, 1-1 MAC) and Western Michigan (8-9, 1-1 MAC) at the Miller Tennis Center. Buffalo lost both contests, 5-2, 6-1, after dropping some crucial matches in the dual meets.
Buffalo only came away with three singles wins and two wins in doubles.
Buffalo had six of its matches go to three sets, including a thrilling super-tiebreaker that pitted freshman Miranda Podlas against Western Michigan's Rachel Denny.
After losing the first set 7-6 (8), Podlas fought back intensely to take the second set, 6-7 (2). However, Denny came out on top, 1-0 (10-8), in the final set.
Podlas and senior Diana Popescu were the only players to come away with victories in the singles matches. Podlas only needed two sets to take down Bowling Green's Jade Johnson, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
Popescu scored a 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 victory against Bowling Green's Christine Chiricosta. She then defeated Western Michigan's Maggie Remynse 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-2 in what proved to be Buffalo's only singles win against the Broncos.
Popescu currently has a team-high 11 singles wins this season. Head coach Kathy Twist stated that Pospescu's tenacity was the main reason behind her success.
"Diana is mentally tough," Twist said. "No matter how long [the match] is going to take, she's going to make sure she stays in it until she wins."
The Bulls couldn't get any momentum from doubles competition. They lost both of their doubles points in the dual meets.
Buffalo's struggles in doubles competition and lengthened volleys will be a focal point for the team in the next couple of days.
"I think the doubles point is a very big psychological push," Twist said. "We're also going to need more consistency, so if we have to hit 50 balls [for one point], we'll be able to do that."
The Bulls will continue their home stand against Akron (12-3, 2-0 MAC) this Saturday. The first serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of UB Athletics
