Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, October 12
East Lansing, Mich.
All Day
Eastern Michigan University
at
ITA Midwest Regional
Tennis Competes Well at ITA Midwest Regional Event
10/15/2023 3:28:00 PM | Tennis
Two Eagles advanced to the main draw from the qualifying draw for the first time since 2016
Highlight Video
EAST LANSING, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University tennis team competed in the 2023 ITA Midwest Regional Championships Oct. 12-13, as the Eagles were one of 26 teams represented at the event hosted by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Five members of the team competed in singles play while two pairs of players took part in the doubles draw.
"Regionals was a great experience for the team," Head Coach Ryan Kucera said. "To get out there and compete against the best teams in the country and have success, it's a great step forward. For all five Eagles who participated to get a win shows how competitive this team is."
Noting The Event
›› Eastern opened action with four individuals in the qualifying draw with the quartet posting a 4-2 record on the day with Linda Eloundou (Yaounde, Cameroon/Augustine Meyou/New Mexico Military Institute) and Ksyusha Saenko (Voronezh, Russia/Gymnasium 2) both winning two matches to reach the main draw. The four wins in singles qualifying are the most since EMU won four in 2016.
›› Sabina Brichackova (Cheb, Czech Republic/Gymnázium Jana Blahoslava) joined Eloundou and Saenko in the main draw with all three falling in tough first-round matches.
›› The main draw loss for Saenko marked her first collegiate loss in singles play as she stands 5-1 on the year. She went 3-0 at the Redbird Invitational to open the season before adding two more wins in the qualifying round of the ITA event.
›› Eastern entered two doubles teams with both posting 1-1 records. Andrea Quiroz (Lima, Peru/La Molina 1278/Alcorn State) and Saenko paired up while Brichackova and Prerna Vichare (Mumbai, India/Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics teamed together with both squads winning their first matches before calling in the second round.
Day One • Qualifiers
The first day of play saw four Eagles compete in the qualifying draw where two victories would earn a place in the main draw. Saenko, in just her second collegiate event, downed both of her foes in straight sets to earn a spot in the main draw while Eloundou battled her way through two matches to make the main draw. Eloundou opened with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Emily Casati (DePaul) before downing MAC foe Julia Kuszynski (Toledo), 7-5, 6-2, to move on in the tournament.
Both Vichare and Quiroz fell in the opening matches. Vichare battled in a three-set match with Laure Razet (Milwuakee), taking the first set before falling, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Quiroz faced Julia Marko (Youngstown State), who she dropped a 7-6 (5), 6-2 decision, before playing a consolation match against Natalie Stasny (Michigan State), who she fell to in a nearly identical score, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
"The first day, each player was itching to advance to the main draw, so everything was a battle," Kucera said. "I am proud of how we handled everything. Ksyusha and Linda were great competitors. Their opponents were tough, really attacking and playing offensively. They did a great job to play with discipline and trust in their games. They were both excellent adjusting throughout the matches to keep their opponents uncomfortable. For both of them to win two matches and make the main draw, it showed resilience and focus."
Day Two • Doubles/Singles Main Draw
The second day of action opened with two rounds of doubles play as both EMU pairs won their openers before falling in the second round. The team of Brichackova/Vichare, who have teamed for over 50 doubles wins together at Eastern, claimed an 8-1 win over Autumn Rabjons and Jennifer Riester (Northwestern) in the opening round before falling to the No. 8-ranked team in the nation of Katherine Duong and Megan Heuser (Illinois), 8-0. Quiroz and Saenko saw their day go in similar fashion as the downed Giorgia Cavestro and Iva Stejskalova (Milwaukee), 8-3, before falling to Greta Carbone and Hannah Smith (DePaul), 8-1.
The main draw of singles play followed with the Eagles falling in all three matches played. Saenko faced Katherine Duong (Illinois), who was seeded on the No. 9-16 line, and took the first set before falling, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. The loss was the first of the year in singles for the freshman after she won her first five matches as a collegiate player. The remaining two matches saw Brichackova fall, 6-2, 6-0, to Reese Miller (Michigan) in the first round while Eloundou lost a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Matilde Morais (Michigan State).
"Day 2, I was really impressed with our doubles, especially compared to two weeks ago," Kucera said. "Sabina and Prerna had a dominating performance in their first-round match. Northwestern historically is one of the best doubles teams in the country, but we really played our system well. They got in a rhythm calling the right plays and were executing confidently. It was fun to watch. Ksyusha and Andrea had a great day as well. I was proud of how well they communicated and played off each other. Andrea was great at the net. Even though we lost out in the main draw first rounds, I was proud of every match we played. Each athlete had positive moments and battled hard. They were a great representation of Eastern, and we are making consistent progress."
Up Next
Eastern returns to action Friday, Oct. 20, for the first of three days of action at the Viking Invitational, hosted by Cleveland State University, in Cleveland, Ohio. The event runs through Sunday, Oct. 22 inside the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
Follow Along
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on Twitter and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
2023 ITA Midwest Regional Championships
Oct. 12-17 • East Lansing, Mich.
SINGLES
Sabina Brichackova • 0-1
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - Reese Miller (Michigan) def. Brichackova, 6-2, 6-0
Linda Eloundou • 2-1
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Eloundou def. Emily Casati (DePaul), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Round of 32 (10/12) - Eloundou def. Julia Kuszynski (Toledo), 7-5, 6-2
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - Matilde Morais (Michigan State) def. Eloundou, 6-3, 6-2
Ksyusha Saenko • 2-0
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Saenko def. Ayshe Can (Michigan State), 6-3, 6-3
Round of 32 (10/12) - Saenko def. Emma Davis (Marquette), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - [9-16] Katherine Duong (Illinois) def. Saenko, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
Andrea Quiroz • 0-2
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Julia Marko (Youngstown State) def. Quiroz, 7-6 (5), 6-2
Consolation Match
Consolation (10/12) - Natalie Stasny (Michigan State) def. Quiroz, 7-6 (5), 6-1
Prerna Vichare • 0-1
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Laure Razet (Milwaukee) def. Vichare, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES • MAIN DRAW
Andrea Quiroz/Ksyusha Saenko • 1-1
Round of 64 (10/13) - Quiroz/Saenko def. Giorgia Cavestro/Iva Stejskalova (Milwaukee), 8-3
Round of 32 (10/13) - Greta Carbone/Hannah Smith (DePaul) def. Quiroz/Saenko, 8-1
Sabina Brichackova/Prerna Vichare • 1-1
Round of 64 (10/13) - def. Autumn Rabjohns/Jennifer Riester (Northwestern), 8-1
Round of 32 (10/13) - [#2](#8) Katherine Duong/Megan Heuser (Illinois) def. Brichackova/Vichare, 8-0
[#] tournament seed/(#) ITA national ranking
EAST LANSING, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University tennis team competed in the 2023 ITA Midwest Regional Championships Oct. 12-13, as the Eagles were one of 26 teams represented at the event hosted by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Five members of the team competed in singles play while two pairs of players took part in the doubles draw.
"Regionals was a great experience for the team," Head Coach Ryan Kucera said. "To get out there and compete against the best teams in the country and have success, it's a great step forward. For all five Eagles who participated to get a win shows how competitive this team is."
Noting The Event
›› Eastern opened action with four individuals in the qualifying draw with the quartet posting a 4-2 record on the day with Linda Eloundou (Yaounde, Cameroon/Augustine Meyou/New Mexico Military Institute) and Ksyusha Saenko (Voronezh, Russia/Gymnasium 2) both winning two matches to reach the main draw. The four wins in singles qualifying are the most since EMU won four in 2016.
›› Sabina Brichackova (Cheb, Czech Republic/Gymnázium Jana Blahoslava) joined Eloundou and Saenko in the main draw with all three falling in tough first-round matches.
›› The main draw loss for Saenko marked her first collegiate loss in singles play as she stands 5-1 on the year. She went 3-0 at the Redbird Invitational to open the season before adding two more wins in the qualifying round of the ITA event.
›› Eastern entered two doubles teams with both posting 1-1 records. Andrea Quiroz (Lima, Peru/La Molina 1278/Alcorn State) and Saenko paired up while Brichackova and Prerna Vichare (Mumbai, India/Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics teamed together with both squads winning their first matches before calling in the second round.
Day One • Qualifiers
The first day of play saw four Eagles compete in the qualifying draw where two victories would earn a place in the main draw. Saenko, in just her second collegiate event, downed both of her foes in straight sets to earn a spot in the main draw while Eloundou battled her way through two matches to make the main draw. Eloundou opened with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Emily Casati (DePaul) before downing MAC foe Julia Kuszynski (Toledo), 7-5, 6-2, to move on in the tournament.
Both Vichare and Quiroz fell in the opening matches. Vichare battled in a three-set match with Laure Razet (Milwuakee), taking the first set before falling, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Quiroz faced Julia Marko (Youngstown State), who she dropped a 7-6 (5), 6-2 decision, before playing a consolation match against Natalie Stasny (Michigan State), who she fell to in a nearly identical score, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
"The first day, each player was itching to advance to the main draw, so everything was a battle," Kucera said. "I am proud of how we handled everything. Ksyusha and Linda were great competitors. Their opponents were tough, really attacking and playing offensively. They did a great job to play with discipline and trust in their games. They were both excellent adjusting throughout the matches to keep their opponents uncomfortable. For both of them to win two matches and make the main draw, it showed resilience and focus."
Day Two • Doubles/Singles Main Draw
The second day of action opened with two rounds of doubles play as both EMU pairs won their openers before falling in the second round. The team of Brichackova/Vichare, who have teamed for over 50 doubles wins together at Eastern, claimed an 8-1 win over Autumn Rabjons and Jennifer Riester (Northwestern) in the opening round before falling to the No. 8-ranked team in the nation of Katherine Duong and Megan Heuser (Illinois), 8-0. Quiroz and Saenko saw their day go in similar fashion as the downed Giorgia Cavestro and Iva Stejskalova (Milwaukee), 8-3, before falling to Greta Carbone and Hannah Smith (DePaul), 8-1.
The main draw of singles play followed with the Eagles falling in all three matches played. Saenko faced Katherine Duong (Illinois), who was seeded on the No. 9-16 line, and took the first set before falling, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. The loss was the first of the year in singles for the freshman after she won her first five matches as a collegiate player. The remaining two matches saw Brichackova fall, 6-2, 6-0, to Reese Miller (Michigan) in the first round while Eloundou lost a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Matilde Morais (Michigan State).
"Day 2, I was really impressed with our doubles, especially compared to two weeks ago," Kucera said. "Sabina and Prerna had a dominating performance in their first-round match. Northwestern historically is one of the best doubles teams in the country, but we really played our system well. They got in a rhythm calling the right plays and were executing confidently. It was fun to watch. Ksyusha and Andrea had a great day as well. I was proud of how well they communicated and played off each other. Andrea was great at the net. Even though we lost out in the main draw first rounds, I was proud of every match we played. Each athlete had positive moments and battled hard. They were a great representation of Eastern, and we are making consistent progress."
Up Next
Eastern returns to action Friday, Oct. 20, for the first of three days of action at the Viking Invitational, hosted by Cleveland State University, in Cleveland, Ohio. The event runs through Sunday, Oct. 22 inside the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
Follow Along
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on Twitter and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
2023 ITA Midwest Regional Championships
Oct. 12-17 • East Lansing, Mich.
SINGLES
Sabina Brichackova • 0-1
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - Reese Miller (Michigan) def. Brichackova, 6-2, 6-0
Linda Eloundou • 2-1
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Eloundou def. Emily Casati (DePaul), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Round of 32 (10/12) - Eloundou def. Julia Kuszynski (Toledo), 7-5, 6-2
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - Matilde Morais (Michigan State) def. Eloundou, 6-3, 6-2
Ksyusha Saenko • 2-0
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Saenko def. Ayshe Can (Michigan State), 6-3, 6-3
Round of 32 (10/12) - Saenko def. Emma Davis (Marquette), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Main Draw
Round of 64 (10/13) - [9-16] Katherine Duong (Illinois) def. Saenko, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
Andrea Quiroz • 0-2
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Julia Marko (Youngstown State) def. Quiroz, 7-6 (5), 6-2
Consolation Match
Consolation (10/12) - Natalie Stasny (Michigan State) def. Quiroz, 7-6 (5), 6-1
Prerna Vichare • 0-1
Qualifier Draw
Round of 64 (10/12) - Laure Razet (Milwaukee) def. Vichare, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES • MAIN DRAW
Andrea Quiroz/Ksyusha Saenko • 1-1
Round of 64 (10/13) - Quiroz/Saenko def. Giorgia Cavestro/Iva Stejskalova (Milwaukee), 8-3
Round of 32 (10/13) - Greta Carbone/Hannah Smith (DePaul) def. Quiroz/Saenko, 8-1
Sabina Brichackova/Prerna Vichare • 1-1
Round of 64 (10/13) - def. Autumn Rabjohns/Jennifer Riester (Northwestern), 8-1
Round of 32 (10/13) - [#2](#8) Katherine Duong/Megan Heuser (Illinois) def. Brichackova/Vichare, 8-0
[#] tournament seed/(#) ITA national ranking
Team Stats
# Doubles Match
# Singles Match
Players Mentioned
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