Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Ball State
Netters Pick Up 4-3 MAC Victory Against Cardinals
4/11/2009 9:24:48 PM | Tennis
Eagles pick up doubles point and three singles matches
MUNCIE, Ind.-The Eastern Michigan University women's tennis team picked up a much needed Mid-American Conference victory over Ball State University Saturday afternoon, April 11, at the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center. The Eagles edged the Cardinals to pick up their first MAC victory of the season, improving their overall season record to 4-15 and 1-5 in MAC play. The Cardinals fall to 5-11 on the season and 0-5 in league play.
"This was a much needed solid win for us. It was good to see us pick up a doubles point with some confidence. Next week we will prepare for NIU in an important match to gain better seeding in the conference tournament."
The Eagles picked up their first doubles-match victory since their win at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25. The due of Xu Chang (Beijing, China) and Karina Ahuja (New Delhi, India) soundily defeated BSU's Sarah Hebble and Kyle Johnson, 8-2, at the second doubles position. At the third flight of doubles, the tandem of Marcela Rivero (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) and Rumbidzai Muskwe (Harare, Zimbabwe) ended their losing skid, picking up the 8-2 victory over Hanna Oman and Rachel Surowiec, to clinch the doubles point and give the Eagles the 1-0 edge heading into singles competition.
Chang and Ahuja would each pick up singles victories, with Chang defeating Dena Boulieris in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, while Ahuja won by a 6-3, 6-3 score, defeating Johnson. The two wins would give the Eagles the 3-1 edge and a win at the No. 1 slot by Miriam Westerink (Rheden, Netherlands), who defeated Hebble 6-0, 6-1, would clinch the victory for the Eagles.
EMU will close out the regular season, hosting Northern Illinois April 18, at the Chippewa Racquet Club. Eastern Michigan's lone senior Joanna Woo (Winnipeg, Manitoba) will be honored prior to the match. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
EMU 4 Ball St. 3
Doubles
1. Boulieris/Thomson (BSU) def. Westerink/Woo (EMU) 8-7(3)
2. Chang/Ahuja (EMU) def. Hebble/Johnson (BSU) 8-2
3. Rivero/Muskwe (EMU) def. Oman/Surowiec (BSU) 8-2
Singles
1. Miriam Westerink (EMU) def. Sarah Hebble (BSU) 6-0,6-1
2. Xu Chang (EMU) def. Dena Boulieris (BSU) 6-4,6-4
3. Karina Ahuja (EMU) def. Kylee Johnson (BSU) 6-3,6-3
4. Hayley Hall (BSU) def. Joanna Woo (EMU) 6-2,6-1
5. Hanna Oman (BSU) def. Marcela Rivero (EMU) 1-6,6-3,6-2
6. Georgina Thomson (BSU) def. Rumbidzai Muskwe (EMU) 6-1,6-1
