Domination is word one might use to describe the success that the women's tennis team experienced at the Can Am Invitational last weekend.
Eight Bulls made it to the championships in doubles and singles play.
"I am very pleased by the way that we played," said head coach Kathy Twist. "This tournament was a good experience because everyone got to play from our first seed to our ninth-seeded player."
The Bulls sent four players to the singles A and B flight finals. Sophomore Denis Harijanto and junior Smaranda Stan claimed the titles in each flight, respectively.
In the flight A final, Harijanto defeated freshman Diana Popescu 6-1, 6-2. The loss marked Popescu's first blemish as a collegiate athlete.
In flight B, Stan defeated senior Tina Jacob 6-0, 6-1 in the finals.
Both Bulls reached the finals with ease. Stan beat her opponent 6-3, 6-0, while Jacob shut out her challenger 6-0, 6-0, to set up the all-Buffalo final.
Freshman Janelle Jones-Mitchell continued Buffalo's success in the flight C singles competition. Jones-Mitchell took home first place with a 7-5, 6-4 victory.
Jacob would not leave the tournament without a crown. She combined with Novaceanu to win the flight A doubles championship. They won 8-7 (7-5) against fellow teammates Harijanto and Popescu.
Buffalo also took home first place in the flight B doubles championship. The team comprised of sophomore Diana Toia and Jones-Mitchell took home the title without breaking a sweat, as their opponent from York College forfeited the match.
"Our players are in a great mindset right now," Twist said. "Everyone is in good shape and we all push each other in practice to see our strengths and weaknesses and try to get better every day."
Four players will represent Buffalo in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association East regionals in singles and doubles competition. Novaceanu has already earned a spot in the singles main draw. Harijanto has an opportunity to qualify in the singles main draw. Popescu was named a qualifying alternate in singles, but will pair with Harijanto in the main draw for doubles. The doubles team of Novaceanu and Jacob will also have a chance to qualify for the main doubles draw.
"I am really excited for those players that got there," Twist said. "Everyone wants to be there and those that got there strived hard to reach that competitive level. They should be able to compete well in the tournament because we played some tough competition in the early part of our schedule."
The ITA East regionals will take place at Old Dominion University on Oct. 19 to 23.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
