Eastern Michigan Athletics
Brichackova/Saenko Garner MAC Doubles Weekly Honor
4/16/2024 4:12:00 PM | Tennis
Duo went 2-0 and helped EMU hand Toledo its first MAC loss since April 22, 2022
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly tennis awards today, April 12, and, for the second time this season, the Eastern Michigan University duo of Sabina Brichackova and Ksyusha Saenko were named the MAC Doubles Team of the Week for matches played through April 14.
Brichackova (Cheb, Czech Republic/Gymnázium Jana Blahoslava) and Saenko (Voronezh, Russia/Gymnasium 2) had a big weekend for the Eagles as the No. 3 tandem went 2-0 to help Eastern to a 1-1 record overall. In the opening match at Western Michigan University, April 12, the EMU duo pulled out a 6-4 decision over the Broncos' Sofia Balsera and Audrey Smitek for EMU's lone doubles victory in the match. Two days later, the duo battled to a 7-5 win that clinched the doubles point for the Eagles and staked the hosts to a big 1-0 lead over the University of Toledo. With a 3-3 split in singles play, the doubles point was crucial for the Eagles to upset the Rockets and hand them their first loss in the MAC this year (7-1) and their first MAC loss since April 22, 2022.
The weekly accolade is the second this season for the team of Brichackova and Saenko after the duo earned the same honor March 19. The award came after their 7-6(5) win at No. 3 doubles clinched the doubles point for the Eagles at Miami University, March 17, a feat that had not been accomplished by EMU since April 17, 2016.
The MAC has honored Eastern with four doubles accolades this year with Brichackova and Saenko earning two and the No. 1 team of Daniella Shved (Holon, Israel/Ort Holon) and Prerna Vichare (Mumbai, India/Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics) earning two as well. The Shved/Vichare duo were honored Feb. 6 and April 2 for their play.
Up Next
The final weekend of the regular season awaits the Eagles as they are set for one home and one road match. First, Eastern will play host to Western Michigan Friday, April 19, at the Chippewa Club with the first serve slated for 1 p.m. The regular season comes to a close Sunday, April 21, when the Eagles travel to Bowling Green, Ohio, to take on the Falcons of Bowling Green State University at noon. Following the matches played April 21, the top four teams in the MAC standings will advance to the MAC Tournament, April 26-27, in Toledo, Ohio.
Follow Us
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.
MAC Weekly Honors • April 16
Singles: Sara Zalkular, Miami
Doubles: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko, Eastern Michigan
2024 MAC Weekly Honors Earned by EMU
Feb. 6: Doubles Team of the Week: Daniella Shved & Prerna Vichare
March 19: Doubles Team of the Week: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko
April 2: Doubles Team of the Week: Daniella Shved & Prerna Vichare
April 16: Doubles Team of the Week: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko
Brichackova (Cheb, Czech Republic/Gymnázium Jana Blahoslava) and Saenko (Voronezh, Russia/Gymnasium 2) had a big weekend for the Eagles as the No. 3 tandem went 2-0 to help Eastern to a 1-1 record overall. In the opening match at Western Michigan University, April 12, the EMU duo pulled out a 6-4 decision over the Broncos' Sofia Balsera and Audrey Smitek for EMU's lone doubles victory in the match. Two days later, the duo battled to a 7-5 win that clinched the doubles point for the Eagles and staked the hosts to a big 1-0 lead over the University of Toledo. With a 3-3 split in singles play, the doubles point was crucial for the Eagles to upset the Rockets and hand them their first loss in the MAC this year (7-1) and their first MAC loss since April 22, 2022.
The weekly accolade is the second this season for the team of Brichackova and Saenko after the duo earned the same honor March 19. The award came after their 7-6(5) win at No. 3 doubles clinched the doubles point for the Eagles at Miami University, March 17, a feat that had not been accomplished by EMU since April 17, 2016.
The MAC has honored Eastern with four doubles accolades this year with Brichackova and Saenko earning two and the No. 1 team of Daniella Shved (Holon, Israel/Ort Holon) and Prerna Vichare (Mumbai, India/Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics) earning two as well. The Shved/Vichare duo were honored Feb. 6 and April 2 for their play.
Up Next
The final weekend of the regular season awaits the Eagles as they are set for one home and one road match. First, Eastern will play host to Western Michigan Friday, April 19, at the Chippewa Club with the first serve slated for 1 p.m. The regular season comes to a close Sunday, April 21, when the Eagles travel to Bowling Green, Ohio, to take on the Falcons of Bowling Green State University at noon. Following the matches played April 21, the top four teams in the MAC standings will advance to the MAC Tournament, April 26-27, in Toledo, Ohio.
Follow Us
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.
MAC Weekly Honors • April 16
Singles: Sara Zalkular, Miami
Doubles: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko, Eastern Michigan
2024 MAC Weekly Honors Earned by EMU
Feb. 6: Doubles Team of the Week: Daniella Shved & Prerna Vichare
March 19: Doubles Team of the Week: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko
April 2: Doubles Team of the Week: Daniella Shved & Prerna Vichare
April 16: Doubles Team of the Week: Sabina Brichackova & Ksyusha Saenko
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