Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Ypsilanti, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Findlay
Home Doubleheader Awaits EMU Tennis Saturday
2/20/2025 3:30:00 PM | Tennis
Eagles will play host to Findlay and Eastern Illinois at the Chippewa Club
| Spring Dual #8 - vs. FINDLAY | |
| Date | Saturday, February 22 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Chippewa Club (Ypsilanti) |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live | Live Results |
| @EMUEaglesTennis | @EMUAthletics | |
| Spring Dual #9 - vs. EASTERN ILLINOIS | |
| Date | Saturday, February 22 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Chippewa Club (Ypsilanti) |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live | Live Results |
| Tickets | FREE ADMISSION |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University tennis team returns to action with a home doubleheader Saturday, Feb. 22, as the Eagles will play host to the University of Findlay and Eastern Illinois University inside the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti. The Eagles (3-4) and Oilers (5-1) will play at 3:30 p.m. before the Eagles and Panthers (2-7) play at 7:30 p.m. Matches at the Chippewa Club are free admission for all fans.
FIRST SERVES
» Eastern defeated Cleveland State, 4-3, on the road (Feb. 14) to snap a four-match skid.
» The Eagles were to play Butler at home, Feb. 16, but snow forced the dual to be canceled and will not be rescheduled this season. EMU has added Saginaw Valley State at home, March 14.
» The Eagles are 5-for-7 in claiming the doubles point this season. EMU claimed 13-of-23 last year, one season removed from earning the point just four times. All told, the Eagles have won 60.0 percent (18-of-30) doubles points under Ryan Kucera.
» In the win over the Vikings, Viki Hazmukova helped clinch the doubles point as she and Sabrina Brichackova won at No. 3, 6-2. Hazmukova then clinched the dual with her win at No. 2 singles. She has now clinched the team victory twice and helped clinch the doubles point four times.
» The 2025 MAC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Jan. 7 with the Eagles voted to finish third with 35 points while Miami (48) and Toledo (38) were ranked ahead of EMU. Eastern was voted to finish fourth one year ago and did so to earn its first MAC Tournament appearance since 2018.
» The Eagles' 2024-25 roster features 10 players, including six returnees and four newcomers. In total, nine different nations are represented on the roster, including the U.S., Argentina, Czechia, India, Israel, Mexico, North Macedonia, Poland, and Russia.
» Ryan Kucera returns for his second season as the team's head coach and will look to guide the team to the MAC Tournament for the second year in a row, which would mark the first time it has happened since the 2014 and 2015 tournaments.
» Players are not the only addition to the roster this year as the coaching staff has added both Masha Polishchuk and Andrew Dobbs. Polishchuk, a MAC champion during her playing career at Ball State, will serve as a graduate assistant coach while Dobbs will serve as an undergraduate assistant.
LOVE MEANS NOTHING IN TENNIS
With their 4-3 win at Cleveland State, the Eagles not only snapped a four-match skid, it also snapped a three-match slide when playing on Valentine's Day. EMU is now 2-4 all-time when playing on Feb. 14.
KNOW THE FOE: FINDLAY
The Oilers (5-1) are coming off their first loss of the season, a 4-3 setback at No. 14 Wayne State. Their match at EMU will mark their second dual against a MAC opponent after they defeated Bowling Green at home, 6-1, earlier this year. The Oilers have one player ranked nationally in the ITA/NCAA Division II rankings as Anamarija Kovacevic is currently No. 13 on the list.
IN THE SERIES: FINDLAY
The Eagles hold a 1-0 lead in the all-time series after defeating the Oilers, 6-1, last year. The match was played March 9, 2024, in Ypsilanti.
THE LAST TIME VS. FINDLAY
The Eagles won the last meeting, 6-1, March 9, 2024, with Eastern sweeping the singles matches after dropping the doubles point. Daniella Shved (No. 1), Sabina Brichackova (No. 5), and Vidisha Reddy (No. 6) each came back to win in three sets to complete the singles sweep.
KNOW THE FOE: EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Panthers enter the weekend with a 2-7 record and are in the middle of four consecutive matches against members of the MAC after falling at Bowling Green, 4-0, and Ball State, 6-1. EIU, who will play at Western Michigan Sunday, also previously played NIU and fell, 7-0, on the road.
IN THE SERIES: EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Eagles hold a 1-0 all-time record against the Panthers following their 5-2 win at EIU, Jan. 26, 2020. The two teams will play in Ypsilanti for the first time this weekend.
THE LAST TIME VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Eagles won the last meeting, 5-2, in Danville, Ill., as EMU swept all three doubles matches before claiming four singles matches. The team of Vasavi Ganesan and Isabelle Popma clinched the doubles point with their 6-1 win at No. 2 while Popma's straight-set win at No. 3 singles clinched the team victory over the Panthers.
LOOKING BACK: ROAD WIN
Eastern won its lone match of the weekend with a 4-3 win at Cleveland State, Feb. 14. The Eagles got off to a 1-0 start by capturing the doubles point as Lara Diaz Zayas and Prerna Vichare won, 6-4, at No. 2 before Sabina Brichackova and Viki Hazmukova took a 6-2 win at No. 3 to clinch. In singles, Hazmukova captured a three-set victory at No. 2 to clinch the team win, snapping a four-match slide for the Eagles.
SNOW-WAY TO PLAY, BUT ADDING ON
The Eagles were to play host to Butler, Feb. 16, but inclement weather forced the match to be canceled and will not be rescheduled. Instead, Eastern will replace the match by playing host to Saginaw Valley State, March 14, at 1 p.m. at the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti.
IN A CLINCH
Viki Hazmukova has been the closer for the Eagles this season as she has won the clinching point for the team twice in three wins with both coming at the No. 2 singles position. Additionally, of the five doubles points won, Hazmukova has been part of four winning teams, pairing with Marta Komar twice and once each with Sabina Brichackova and Iva Daneva.
POINTING IT OUT
During the 2022-23 season, the Eagles won the doubles point just four times in 15 duals (26.7 percent). With Ryan Kucera taking over last year, the 2023-24 squad won 13 doubles points in 23 duals (56.5 percent). Of those 13 wins, five each were secured at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions with the remaining three secured at No. 2. Through the dual at Michigan State (Feb. 2), the Eagles are 5-of-7 in doubles points with three coming at the No. 2 spot and one each at No. 1 and No. 3.
ENDING A DROUGHT?
The goal every year is to win the MAC Tournament and earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Eagles were able to do so came in 2001 when they swept through the MAC Tournament hosted by Marshall with wins over Ball State (4-1), Western Michigan (4-2), and the host Thundering Herd (4-3). EMU advanced to the NCAA First Round where they fell at No. 8 Notre Dame, 0-4.
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
The 2025 MAC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Jan. 7 with the Eagles earning 35 points to rank third on the list behind Miami (48 points) and Toledo (38). The remaining rankings, which are based upon votes from the league's coaches, were Northern Illinois (30) in fourth, Ball State (35) fifth, Buffalo (23) sixth, Western Michigan (14) seventh, and Bowling Green (seven) eighth. Additionally, the coaches cast votes on who would win the MAC Tournament, which is slated for April 24-25 in Toledo, Ohio, with Miami earning five votes while EMU, Buffalo, and Toledo each earned one.
In Ryan Kucera's first season with the Eagles (2023-24), Eastern was voted tied for fourth in the preseason before finishing fourth and earning a berth in the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2018. EMU dropped a 4-3 decision to host Toledo in the semifinals.
LOOKING TO REPEAT
Last year, the Eagles finished fourth in the conference standings to earn the fourth and final position in the MAC Tournament, the team's first appearance in the conference event since the 2018 championships. Should Eastern return to the tournament this year, it would mark the first time the Eagles have qualified for the MAC Tournament in back-to-back seasons since earning berths in the 2014 and 2015 events. Eastern lost to Miami, 4-2, in the final of the 2014 event before falling to the RedHawks, 4-1, in the semifinals one year later.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK
Sabina Brichackova captured two wins at the MAC Fall Individuals in Hamilton, Ohio, Oct. 24-27, to record the 99th and 100th combined wins of her career. The senior is the first to reach 100 wins in a career since the 2017-18 season when both Ani Gogvadze (117) and Andrea Matrinovska (111) capped their careers in Ypsilanti.
UP THE LADDER
Sabina Brichackova and doubles partner Prerna Vichare continue to do well in doubles play as each player has accrued 52 career wins with Vichare securing hers against Oakland (Feb. 1). Currently, Miriam Westerink (2008-12) and Avi Gogvadze (2014-18) are tied for 19th with 56 wins, meaning Brichackova and Vichare are four wins from joining the all-time top 20.
ON THE HORIZON
Eastern will compete in two matches as part of the team's Spring Break trip to California with the Eagles taking on UC San Diego and UC Riverside. The Eagles and Triton will meet Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. ET in La Jolla before the Eagles head to Riverside to take on the Highlanders in a 1 p.m. ET dual Thursday, Feb. 27.
FOLLOW US
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on X (formerly Twitter) and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
FIRST SERVES
» Eastern defeated Cleveland State, 4-3, on the road (Feb. 14) to snap a four-match skid.
» The Eagles were to play Butler at home, Feb. 16, but snow forced the dual to be canceled and will not be rescheduled this season. EMU has added Saginaw Valley State at home, March 14.
» The Eagles are 5-for-7 in claiming the doubles point this season. EMU claimed 13-of-23 last year, one season removed from earning the point just four times. All told, the Eagles have won 60.0 percent (18-of-30) doubles points under Ryan Kucera.
» In the win over the Vikings, Viki Hazmukova helped clinch the doubles point as she and Sabrina Brichackova won at No. 3, 6-2. Hazmukova then clinched the dual with her win at No. 2 singles. She has now clinched the team victory twice and helped clinch the doubles point four times.
» The 2025 MAC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Jan. 7 with the Eagles voted to finish third with 35 points while Miami (48) and Toledo (38) were ranked ahead of EMU. Eastern was voted to finish fourth one year ago and did so to earn its first MAC Tournament appearance since 2018.
» The Eagles' 2024-25 roster features 10 players, including six returnees and four newcomers. In total, nine different nations are represented on the roster, including the U.S., Argentina, Czechia, India, Israel, Mexico, North Macedonia, Poland, and Russia.
» Ryan Kucera returns for his second season as the team's head coach and will look to guide the team to the MAC Tournament for the second year in a row, which would mark the first time it has happened since the 2014 and 2015 tournaments.
» Players are not the only addition to the roster this year as the coaching staff has added both Masha Polishchuk and Andrew Dobbs. Polishchuk, a MAC champion during her playing career at Ball State, will serve as a graduate assistant coach while Dobbs will serve as an undergraduate assistant.
LOVE MEANS NOTHING IN TENNIS
With their 4-3 win at Cleveland State, the Eagles not only snapped a four-match skid, it also snapped a three-match slide when playing on Valentine's Day. EMU is now 2-4 all-time when playing on Feb. 14.
KNOW THE FOE: FINDLAY
The Oilers (5-1) are coming off their first loss of the season, a 4-3 setback at No. 14 Wayne State. Their match at EMU will mark their second dual against a MAC opponent after they defeated Bowling Green at home, 6-1, earlier this year. The Oilers have one player ranked nationally in the ITA/NCAA Division II rankings as Anamarija Kovacevic is currently No. 13 on the list.
IN THE SERIES: FINDLAY
The Eagles hold a 1-0 lead in the all-time series after defeating the Oilers, 6-1, last year. The match was played March 9, 2024, in Ypsilanti.
THE LAST TIME VS. FINDLAY
The Eagles won the last meeting, 6-1, March 9, 2024, with Eastern sweeping the singles matches after dropping the doubles point. Daniella Shved (No. 1), Sabina Brichackova (No. 5), and Vidisha Reddy (No. 6) each came back to win in three sets to complete the singles sweep.
KNOW THE FOE: EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Panthers enter the weekend with a 2-7 record and are in the middle of four consecutive matches against members of the MAC after falling at Bowling Green, 4-0, and Ball State, 6-1. EIU, who will play at Western Michigan Sunday, also previously played NIU and fell, 7-0, on the road.
IN THE SERIES: EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Eagles hold a 1-0 all-time record against the Panthers following their 5-2 win at EIU, Jan. 26, 2020. The two teams will play in Ypsilanti for the first time this weekend.
THE LAST TIME VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Eagles won the last meeting, 5-2, in Danville, Ill., as EMU swept all three doubles matches before claiming four singles matches. The team of Vasavi Ganesan and Isabelle Popma clinched the doubles point with their 6-1 win at No. 2 while Popma's straight-set win at No. 3 singles clinched the team victory over the Panthers.
LOOKING BACK: ROAD WIN
Eastern won its lone match of the weekend with a 4-3 win at Cleveland State, Feb. 14. The Eagles got off to a 1-0 start by capturing the doubles point as Lara Diaz Zayas and Prerna Vichare won, 6-4, at No. 2 before Sabina Brichackova and Viki Hazmukova took a 6-2 win at No. 3 to clinch. In singles, Hazmukova captured a three-set victory at No. 2 to clinch the team win, snapping a four-match slide for the Eagles.
SNOW-WAY TO PLAY, BUT ADDING ON
The Eagles were to play host to Butler, Feb. 16, but inclement weather forced the match to be canceled and will not be rescheduled. Instead, Eastern will replace the match by playing host to Saginaw Valley State, March 14, at 1 p.m. at the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti.
IN A CLINCH
Viki Hazmukova has been the closer for the Eagles this season as she has won the clinching point for the team twice in three wins with both coming at the No. 2 singles position. Additionally, of the five doubles points won, Hazmukova has been part of four winning teams, pairing with Marta Komar twice and once each with Sabina Brichackova and Iva Daneva.
POINTING IT OUT
During the 2022-23 season, the Eagles won the doubles point just four times in 15 duals (26.7 percent). With Ryan Kucera taking over last year, the 2023-24 squad won 13 doubles points in 23 duals (56.5 percent). Of those 13 wins, five each were secured at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions with the remaining three secured at No. 2. Through the dual at Michigan State (Feb. 2), the Eagles are 5-of-7 in doubles points with three coming at the No. 2 spot and one each at No. 1 and No. 3.
ENDING A DROUGHT?
The goal every year is to win the MAC Tournament and earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Eagles were able to do so came in 2001 when they swept through the MAC Tournament hosted by Marshall with wins over Ball State (4-1), Western Michigan (4-2), and the host Thundering Herd (4-3). EMU advanced to the NCAA First Round where they fell at No. 8 Notre Dame, 0-4.
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
The 2025 MAC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Jan. 7 with the Eagles earning 35 points to rank third on the list behind Miami (48 points) and Toledo (38). The remaining rankings, which are based upon votes from the league's coaches, were Northern Illinois (30) in fourth, Ball State (35) fifth, Buffalo (23) sixth, Western Michigan (14) seventh, and Bowling Green (seven) eighth. Additionally, the coaches cast votes on who would win the MAC Tournament, which is slated for April 24-25 in Toledo, Ohio, with Miami earning five votes while EMU, Buffalo, and Toledo each earned one.
In Ryan Kucera's first season with the Eagles (2023-24), Eastern was voted tied for fourth in the preseason before finishing fourth and earning a berth in the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2018. EMU dropped a 4-3 decision to host Toledo in the semifinals.
LOOKING TO REPEAT
Last year, the Eagles finished fourth in the conference standings to earn the fourth and final position in the MAC Tournament, the team's first appearance in the conference event since the 2018 championships. Should Eastern return to the tournament this year, it would mark the first time the Eagles have qualified for the MAC Tournament in back-to-back seasons since earning berths in the 2014 and 2015 events. Eastern lost to Miami, 4-2, in the final of the 2014 event before falling to the RedHawks, 4-1, in the semifinals one year later.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK
Sabina Brichackova captured two wins at the MAC Fall Individuals in Hamilton, Ohio, Oct. 24-27, to record the 99th and 100th combined wins of her career. The senior is the first to reach 100 wins in a career since the 2017-18 season when both Ani Gogvadze (117) and Andrea Matrinovska (111) capped their careers in Ypsilanti.
UP THE LADDER
Sabina Brichackova and doubles partner Prerna Vichare continue to do well in doubles play as each player has accrued 52 career wins with Vichare securing hers against Oakland (Feb. 1). Currently, Miriam Westerink (2008-12) and Avi Gogvadze (2014-18) are tied for 19th with 56 wins, meaning Brichackova and Vichare are four wins from joining the all-time top 20.
ON THE HORIZON
Eastern will compete in two matches as part of the team's Spring Break trip to California with the Eagles taking on UC San Diego and UC Riverside. The Eagles and Triton will meet Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. ET in La Jolla before the Eagles head to Riverside to take on the Highlanders in a 1 p.m. ET dual Thursday, Feb. 27.
FOLLOW US
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on X (formerly Twitter) and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
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