Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Buffalo
Eagles Drop 7-0 Decision to Buffalo in MAC Opener
3/20/2009 5:22:58 PM | Tennis
Eagles to face Akron Saturday, March 21
Box score
YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University women's tennis team dropped a 7-0 decision to the University at Buffalo Friday afternoon, March 20, to open the Mid-American Conference dual-match season. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 3-10 and 1-0 in conference action while the Bulls improve to 8-3 and 1-0, respectively.
“I thought that at the top of our line up we did a good job competing,” said head coach Ryan Ray. “ We had leads on all three of the top courts at critical times, but weren't able to hold them and that's testament to Buffalo's experience and ability. Tomorrow we'll come out ready to battle against a much improved Akron team.”
In doubles action, the Eagles went up against several strong Buffalo tandems. At No. 2 doubles, Karina Ahuja (New Delhi, India) and Xu Chang (Beijing, China) fell behind 7-2, but rallied to win two straight games, but were unable to overcome the duo of Aleksandra Petrova and Diana Toia, falling 8-4. At the third flight, the team of Marcela Rivero (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) and Rumbidzai Muskwe (Harare, Zimbabwe) fought back to come within three, 7-4, but the Bulls duo of Smaranda Stand and Anna Subenkova held on to take the 8-4 set win.
The Eagles were unable to find their groove heading into singles, dropping all six matches. Chang lost a close three set match, losing the tie-breaker match 10-8. Miriam Westerink (Rheden, Netherlands) and Ahuja each fell in tight matches.
The Eagles will jump right back into action, hosting the University of Akron Zips Saturday, March 21, at the Chippewa Racquet Club. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
Buffalo 7, Eastern Mich. 0
Singles competition
1. Denise Harijanto (BUFF) def. Miriam Westerink (EMU) 6-4, 7-6
2. Diana Popescu (BUFF) def. Karina Ahuja (EMU) 6-4, 7-6
3. Smaranda Stan (BUFF) def. Xu Chang (EMU) 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Diana Toia (BUFF) def. Joanna Woo (EMU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Aleksandra Petrova (BUFF) def. Marcela Rivero (EMU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Anna Subenkova (BUFF) def. Rumbidzai Muskwe (EMU) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Denise Harijanto/Diana Popescu (BUFF) def. Miriam Westerink/Joanna Woo (EMU) 8-2
2. Aleksandra Petrova/Diana Toia (BUFF) def. Karina Ahuja/Xu Chang (EMU) 8-4
3. Smaranda Stan/Anna Subenkova (BUFF) def. Marcela Rivero/Rumbidzai Muskwe (EMU) 8-4
