The women's tennis team continued its grueling non-conference schedule Sunday. Its woes continued with a shellacking and potential devastating injury.
The Bulls (0-4) and Cornell (4-0) squared off with each team streaking in different directions. The Bulls were coming off a loss to Boston University and were looking for improvement in their footwork, aggressiveness, and execution in crucial moments. All phases were lacking as they were shut out by Cornell in doubles and singles competition, losing the contest 7-0.
The Bulls put forth a valiant effort and battled Cornell for every set and nearly earned their first doubles victory of the season at third doubles. The team of junior Kira Golenko and sophomore Anamaria Candanoza eventually fell 8-6 but they were in control early in the set and hold the lead until late in the match. Buffalo went up 6-5 but the match turned in Cornell's favor. The Bulls started to make mental errors and lose their aggressiveness on return shots, allowing for Cornell to capture the lead and eventually the win.
Head coach Kathy Twist acknowledges the duo's effort and acknowledged that the entire team needs to do a better job of executing in the critical moments of its matches.
"Recognize the crucial point, when you have an advantage you have to work a little bit harder for those points," Twist said. "Whatever you did to get you there, being aggressive, coming to the net putting those balls away you have to continue to do that."
Candanoza went on to have a spirited contest in her singles competition as well, falling in three sets. After losing the first set 6-3, she became more accurate with her returns and capitalized on her opponent's – Cornell's Rosemary Li – mental errors winning the second set 6-4. The match went to a tiebreaker where Candanoza was bested by a score of 10-6.
Another competitive matchup was between the top players on both teams in singles competition. Sophomore standout Tanvi Shah took on Sarah O'Neil of Cornell. The match featured excellent tennis – with long rallies and improbable returns – but it was nearly over before it even got started. Shah suffered an injury near the end of the first set; a tense and uncomfortable injury timeout ensued before she was able to compete again.
Shah had work done on her back for several minutes before deciding to continue and finish the contest. Coach Twist cited it as a back injury, and that she and the trainer advised Shah to concede the match.
"Tanvi pulled her back in the first set going for a long ball so she was getting treatment in between," Twist said. "We asked if she wanted to stop and she wanted to finish so it was courageous of her to finish, it was a tough match with difficult circumstances, were proud of her efforts."
Shah went on and lost the first set 7-6 (7-4) and took the second set to another tiebreaker but eventually dropped it as well, 7-6 (7-5). Shah felt as if her injury was a major factor in her performance and may even be an issue in future matches.
"I played her once and I [had] beaten her the last time I played her," Shah said. "I beat her straight, in two sets so yeah it's not like she is playing extraordinary or something. I could have stuck in there a little more but unfortunately my back didn't support me as much but I did as much as I could"
Sophomore Miranda Podlas and Shah were defeated in doubles play 8-3, sophmore Marta Stoyanova, and junior Tamara Markovic, were conquered in doubles play 8-1. In singles Podlas was dispatched in two sets, 6-2, 6-2. Stoyanova was beaten 6-1 and 6-2 in straight sets and Makovic was beaten in two sets 6-2, 6-1.
The Bulls are still chasing that elusive first win of the season but with more spirited efforts and Twist hopes better execution during the critical moments of matches, will help the Bulls find it quickly.
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
