This fall semester has been an exciting one for UB athletics, and in case you were too busy studying, we’re here to catch you up on what's happened in Alumni Arena and beyond!
Men’s basketball has performed phenomenally in out of conference play, with a 9-1 record to show for it; this is a stark contrast to their 5-5 record at this time last season. The Bulls 9-1 start has been fueled by standout guard play, with sophomore guard Daniel Freitag leading the way at 19.5 points per game, while junior guard Ryan Sabol and graduate guard Angelo Brizzi add steady scoring and playmaking. Together, the trio has proven to be some of the most reliable contributors on the roster thus far in the season.
On the women’s side of basketball, the Bulls have started off 2-7 with a new coaching staff and a roster full of fresh faces. Buffalo has leaned on returning junior guard Paula Lopez’s average of 11.9 points per game as well as freshman forward Meg Lucas’s dominance on the glass, averaging 10.8 rebounds per game.
Women’s volleyball finished their season 9-18 overall, with a record of 6-12 in-conference. Despite their losing season, two Bulls earned all-conference honors. Junior outside hitter Manoela Forlin earned her spot on the All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) second team, and freshman outside hitter Emerson Matthews joined Forlin on the All-MAC second team along with earning a spot on the All-Freshman team.
Right across the hall from the Alumni Arena courts, Bulls swim and dive has begun to make waves, winning three of their head-to-head meets and placing well in invitationals. Bulls diving continues to be a perennial powerhouse in the MAC with returner senior diver Presley Dorsett and freshman diver Adele Melamud both winning MAC divers of the week throughout the semester. Between the lane lines, sophomore swimmer Bella Forsman has also earned MAC swimmer of the week recognition, following a breakout freshman season where she earned First-Team All-MAC honors.
Travelling behind Alumni Arena and into UB Stadium, Bulls soccer finished their season with a 12-5-2 record, 8-3-1 in conference. Junior brick wall, Lexi Thompson earned the honor of MAC goalkeeper of the year and All-MAC first team honors. Alongside Thompson, graduate defender Frederique St.-Jean and graduate forward Jasmine Guerber earned All-MAC first team honors.
Bulls football finished the fall semester with a 5-7 record, 4-4 in-conference. Four Bulls earned All-MAC first team honors, which is the most the team has earned since 2020. Standout graduate student linebacker Red Murdock, fifth year offensive lineman Trevor Brock and redshirt junior receivers Nik McMillan and Victor Snow all made the All-MAC first team.
The Bulls running program performed well at the MAC cross country championships, with the men’s team placing fourth and the women’s team placing eighth. Turning to track and field, the team kicked off their indoor season at the Houghton invitational with 12 event wins. Following the meet, sophomore high jumper Stella Kapp earned MAC Women’s Field Athlete of the week with a mark of 1.75 meters.
Last but certainly not least, the men’s and women’s tennis teams competed in the MAC indoor championships. The international student trio of junior Minjae Kim, senior Faiz Nasyam, and junior Michael Malkin won all of their single draws at the championships.
If you weren't able to tune into UB athletics throughout your busy semester, don’t worry because your Bulls have fixtures throughout the winter break including: Swim and Dive, Track and Field, Wrestling and Women’s and Men’s Basketball.
Ciah Courtney is an assistant sports editor and can be reached at ciah.courtney@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
