Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 13
Chicago, Ill.
TBA
Eastern Michigan University
at
DePaul
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Two Road Matches Await Tennis This Weekend
2/11/2026 9:58:00 AM | Tennis
Eagles will venture to Chicago and Indianapolis for competition
| Spring Dual #10 | at DePAUL | |
| Date | Friday, Feb. 13 | 12:30 p.m. CT |
| Venue | XS Tennis Village | Chicago, Ill. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Media Guide |
| Live | Live Results |
| @EMUEaglesTennis | @EMUAthletics | |
| Spring Dual #11 | at BUTLER | |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 4 p.m. |
| Venue | IRC East | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Media Guide |
| Live | n/a |
| EMU_Tennis | EMUAthletics | |
CHICAGO, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) -- Two road matches await the Eastern Michigan University tennis team this weekend as the Eagles will travel to take on DePaul University and Butler University, Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, respectively. The trip for the Eagles (6-3) begins Friday with a 12:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. ET) dual with the Blue Demons (5-3) inside the XS Tennis Village in Chicago, Ill., before ending Saturday against the Bulldogs (3-5) inside IRC East in Indianapolis, Ind.
FIRST SERVES
» The Eagles are 6-3 on the year and have lost three consecutive matches following a 4-1 loss at Eastern Kentucky and a 4-0 loss to Chattanooga in Richmond, Ky., Feb. 6, in the same-day doubleheader.
» Eastern is in its 49th varsity season in 2026 and, following its weekend split, is now 551-470 all-time. The 4-2 win at St. Francis (Pa.), Jan. 24, stands as the 550th victory in program history.
» When playing on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Eastern is 2-3 overall and 1-2 in road matches after scoring a 4-3 decision at Cleveland State last year.
» Prior to the loss at Michigan State, EMU was off to a 6-0 start, which tied with the 2003 and 1984 teams for the best start in program history. The Eagles also were 4-0 on the road before falling to the Spartans, a mark that tied for the third-best road winning streak in program history.
» Under Ryan Kucera, the Eagles have posted a 23-2 record at home, including an 11-0 mark in his debut season (2024), a 10-2 mark last year, and a 2-0 start in 2026. In the six seasons played ahead of Kucera's arrival, the Eagles were 21-30 at home.
» Eastern has been strong in doubles play under Ryan Kucera as they have won 60.0 percent (33-of-55) of the doubles points since the start of the 2024 season. The Eagles were 13-of-23 in 2024 before improving to 14-of-22 last year and have won 6-of-9 this year.
» In the three seasons Ryan Kucera has led the program, Eastern holds a record of 26-7 when it wins the doubles point and has won eight consecutive matches when securing the point. Conversely, EMU is 4-18 when it does not win the point.
» The 2025-26 Eastern Michigan roster features eight players from eight countries and four continents. Included on the roster are four returning Eagles in Iva Daneva, Lara Diaz Zayas, Regina Mendez Carreño, and Kseniia Saenko, and four newcomers in Pehal Kharadkar, Matilde Parreira, Sabrina Tolstova, and Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya.
» With the four freshmen included, the EMU roster boasts players from eight countries, including Argentina, India, Indonesia, Mexico, North Macedonia, Portugal, Russia, and Ukraine. All told, the Eagles are represented on four continents, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
» Ryan Kucera returns for his third season as the head coach and will look to guide the team to the MAC Tournament for the second time. He has guided the team to back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons when Tim Gray led the team to consecutive 16-win campaigns.
LAST TIME OUT: TOUGH TIME ON THE ROAD
Eastern dropped both of its matches played Feb. 6 in a same-day doubleheader hosted by Eastern Kentucky with the Eagles falling to the host Colonels, 4-1, before dropping a 4-0 decision to Chattanooga. Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya scored the lone victory on the weekend for the Eagles as she bumped up to the No. 1 singles position and scored a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over EKU's Sasha Parkhomenko. The win was the first for the freshman at the top spot in the lineup.
DOUBLED UP
Following the two matches in Kentucky, Eastern has now played 59 same-day doubleheaders in program history and was swept for just the fourth time. The Eagles, who have swept both matches 28 times and split 27 times, stand 82-36 in the doubleheaders with a 27-23 record on the road in those contests. Additionally, the Eagles fell to 38-21 in the opening match of the double dip and 44-15 in the second contest.
STRAIGHT TO THE (DOUBLES) POINT
Eastern has captured the doubles point in 6-of-9 matches (66.7 percent) played this season and has secured the point in 60 percent of matches played under Ryan Kucera (33-of-55) since the start of the 2024 season. Ahead of his arrival, the Eagles captured the point just four times (26.7 percent) in the 2022-23 season before winning the point 56.5 percent in 2024 (13-of-23) and 60.9 percent last year (14-of-23).
DOUBLES TALES
Since Ryan Kucera took over ahead of the 2023-24 season, doubles have been a key component to the team's success. In the 55 matches played, the Eagles have won the doubles point 33 times (60.0 percent) which has translated into a 26-7 record in the team match and wins in eight consecutive team matches when winning the doubles point. Conversely, the Eagles are 4-18 when they don't win the doubles point.
KNOW THE FOE: DePAUL
The Blue Demons stand 5-3 on the year and 2-0 in BIG EAST play following a 4-3 defeat of Georgetown (Feb. 7) last weekend. DePaul has won two consecutive matches, including a 5-2 defeat of Toledo (Feb. 6) to boast a 4-0 home record in 2026. DePaul's three losses came away from home, including a 5-2 loss to UC San Diego in Phoenix, a 6-1 loss at Grand Canyon, and a 6-1 loss at Illinois.
IN THE SERIES: DePAUL
The all-time series between the Eagles and Blue Demons is tied at 3-3 with DePaul having won the last three matches, including a 6-1 decision Feb. 3, 2013, in Chicago. All six matches have been played away from Ypsilanti with the DU holding a 2-1 record on its home court while EMU is 2-1 in the three matches played at neutral sites.
THE LAST TIME VS. BLUE DEMONS
The last time Eastern and DePaul played was just over 13 years prior as the Blue Demons, ranked No. 71 in the nation at the time, took a 6-1 home win, Feb. 3, 2013. After sweeping the doubles matches, DePaul captured wins in 5-of-6 singles matches with EMU's Klara Supejova breaking up the sweep as she won her match at No. 2 singles.
KNOW THE FOE: BUTLER
The Bulldogs hold a 3-5 record in 2026 and stand 1-0 at home following a 6-1 defeat of Marian, Jan. 18. Butler has played six consecutive road matches since that time, including a 5-2 win at crosstown foe Indianapolis and a 6-1 loss at Ball State last week. BU, who has already played two MAC foes this year with the first coming in a 5-2 loss at Northern Illinois, will play a pair of MAC teams this weekend with Miami visiting, Feb. 14.
IN THE SERIES: BUTLER
The Eagles hold a 5-2 lead in the all-time series with the Bulldogs, but have dropped the last two meetings, both by 4-1 scores on the road. Eastern, who 3-2 when playing at Butler, opened the series with five consecutive wins, including four consecutive shutouts.
THE LAST TIME VS. BULLDOGS
Eastern and Butler last met Feb. 16, 2024, in Indianapolis where the host Bulldogs took a 4-1 victory, their second in as many meetings. After falling behind, 1-0, following doubles, Andrea Quiroz scored a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles, but it was not enough as BU scored wins at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 to secure the team win.
WHAT IS LOVE?
The Eagles and Bulldogs will play on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), marking consecutive years Eastern has played on the 'Day of Love' following its 4-3 road win at Cleveland State in 2025. The first instance came in 1998 in a 6-3 home loss to Michigan State before the Eagles scored a 6-1 home win in 2004 over UIC. From there, EMU dropped three consecutive Feb. 14 dates, including a 7-0 score to Colorado State at Nebraska in 2009, 5-2 at Nebraska in 2014, and 5-2 at Pittsburgh in 2015. Last year's win moved EMU to 2-3 on the day.
STRONG START
With its 4-0 loss at Michigan State, Feb. 1, Eastern saw its perfect start to the season come to an end as the Eagles now stand 6-1. The 6-0 start tied for the best start in program history as the 2002-03 squad also opened its season at 6-0. Despite the loss in their seventh match, the 2002-03 team would rebound with an eight-match winning streak to open the year 14-1 on its way to reaching the finals of the MAC Tournament.
ROAD WINS
The loss at Michigan State (Feb. 1) also was the first of the year on the road for EMU, which halted their four-match winning streak away from home. The 4-0 start tied for the third-best road showing in program history with only the 2002-03 and 1983-84 teams starting better as both opened at 6-0.
HOME PROTECTION
Since taking over the program ahead of the 2023-24 season, the Eagles hold a 23-2 record at home under Ryan Kucera, a mark that included the Eagles going a perfect 11-0 at home in 2024, 10-2 last year, and 2-0 in 2026 following their 4-3 defeat of Oakland (Jan. 31). In the previous six seasons played ahead of Kucera's arrival, the Eagles were 21-30, including a 3-4 mark in the 2022-23 season. The win totals also rank as the highest (11) and second-highest (10) in single-season history for the program.
ON THE HORIZON
Eastern, following five consecutive matches away from home, will return to action in Ypsilanti, Friday, Feb. 20, when the Eagles play host to Bradley University. The Eagles and Braves will meet inside the Chippewa Club with first serve set for 1 p.m.
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
» The Eagles are 6-3 on the year and have lost three consecutive matches following a 4-1 loss at Eastern Kentucky and a 4-0 loss to Chattanooga in Richmond, Ky., Feb. 6, in the same-day doubleheader.
» Eastern is in its 49th varsity season in 2026 and, following its weekend split, is now 551-470 all-time. The 4-2 win at St. Francis (Pa.), Jan. 24, stands as the 550th victory in program history.
» When playing on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Eastern is 2-3 overall and 1-2 in road matches after scoring a 4-3 decision at Cleveland State last year.
» Prior to the loss at Michigan State, EMU was off to a 6-0 start, which tied with the 2003 and 1984 teams for the best start in program history. The Eagles also were 4-0 on the road before falling to the Spartans, a mark that tied for the third-best road winning streak in program history.
» Under Ryan Kucera, the Eagles have posted a 23-2 record at home, including an 11-0 mark in his debut season (2024), a 10-2 mark last year, and a 2-0 start in 2026. In the six seasons played ahead of Kucera's arrival, the Eagles were 21-30 at home.
» Eastern has been strong in doubles play under Ryan Kucera as they have won 60.0 percent (33-of-55) of the doubles points since the start of the 2024 season. The Eagles were 13-of-23 in 2024 before improving to 14-of-22 last year and have won 6-of-9 this year.
» In the three seasons Ryan Kucera has led the program, Eastern holds a record of 26-7 when it wins the doubles point and has won eight consecutive matches when securing the point. Conversely, EMU is 4-18 when it does not win the point.
» The 2025-26 Eastern Michigan roster features eight players from eight countries and four continents. Included on the roster are four returning Eagles in Iva Daneva, Lara Diaz Zayas, Regina Mendez Carreño, and Kseniia Saenko, and four newcomers in Pehal Kharadkar, Matilde Parreira, Sabrina Tolstova, and Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya.
» With the four freshmen included, the EMU roster boasts players from eight countries, including Argentina, India, Indonesia, Mexico, North Macedonia, Portugal, Russia, and Ukraine. All told, the Eagles are represented on four continents, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
» Ryan Kucera returns for his third season as the head coach and will look to guide the team to the MAC Tournament for the second time. He has guided the team to back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons when Tim Gray led the team to consecutive 16-win campaigns.
LAST TIME OUT: TOUGH TIME ON THE ROAD
Eastern dropped both of its matches played Feb. 6 in a same-day doubleheader hosted by Eastern Kentucky with the Eagles falling to the host Colonels, 4-1, before dropping a 4-0 decision to Chattanooga. Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya scored the lone victory on the weekend for the Eagles as she bumped up to the No. 1 singles position and scored a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over EKU's Sasha Parkhomenko. The win was the first for the freshman at the top spot in the lineup.
DOUBLED UP
Following the two matches in Kentucky, Eastern has now played 59 same-day doubleheaders in program history and was swept for just the fourth time. The Eagles, who have swept both matches 28 times and split 27 times, stand 82-36 in the doubleheaders with a 27-23 record on the road in those contests. Additionally, the Eagles fell to 38-21 in the opening match of the double dip and 44-15 in the second contest.
STRAIGHT TO THE (DOUBLES) POINT
Eastern has captured the doubles point in 6-of-9 matches (66.7 percent) played this season and has secured the point in 60 percent of matches played under Ryan Kucera (33-of-55) since the start of the 2024 season. Ahead of his arrival, the Eagles captured the point just four times (26.7 percent) in the 2022-23 season before winning the point 56.5 percent in 2024 (13-of-23) and 60.9 percent last year (14-of-23).
DOUBLES TALES
Since Ryan Kucera took over ahead of the 2023-24 season, doubles have been a key component to the team's success. In the 55 matches played, the Eagles have won the doubles point 33 times (60.0 percent) which has translated into a 26-7 record in the team match and wins in eight consecutive team matches when winning the doubles point. Conversely, the Eagles are 4-18 when they don't win the doubles point.
KNOW THE FOE: DePAUL
The Blue Demons stand 5-3 on the year and 2-0 in BIG EAST play following a 4-3 defeat of Georgetown (Feb. 7) last weekend. DePaul has won two consecutive matches, including a 5-2 defeat of Toledo (Feb. 6) to boast a 4-0 home record in 2026. DePaul's three losses came away from home, including a 5-2 loss to UC San Diego in Phoenix, a 6-1 loss at Grand Canyon, and a 6-1 loss at Illinois.
IN THE SERIES: DePAUL
The all-time series between the Eagles and Blue Demons is tied at 3-3 with DePaul having won the last three matches, including a 6-1 decision Feb. 3, 2013, in Chicago. All six matches have been played away from Ypsilanti with the DU holding a 2-1 record on its home court while EMU is 2-1 in the three matches played at neutral sites.
THE LAST TIME VS. BLUE DEMONS
The last time Eastern and DePaul played was just over 13 years prior as the Blue Demons, ranked No. 71 in the nation at the time, took a 6-1 home win, Feb. 3, 2013. After sweeping the doubles matches, DePaul captured wins in 5-of-6 singles matches with EMU's Klara Supejova breaking up the sweep as she won her match at No. 2 singles.
KNOW THE FOE: BUTLER
The Bulldogs hold a 3-5 record in 2026 and stand 1-0 at home following a 6-1 defeat of Marian, Jan. 18. Butler has played six consecutive road matches since that time, including a 5-2 win at crosstown foe Indianapolis and a 6-1 loss at Ball State last week. BU, who has already played two MAC foes this year with the first coming in a 5-2 loss at Northern Illinois, will play a pair of MAC teams this weekend with Miami visiting, Feb. 14.
IN THE SERIES: BUTLER
The Eagles hold a 5-2 lead in the all-time series with the Bulldogs, but have dropped the last two meetings, both by 4-1 scores on the road. Eastern, who 3-2 when playing at Butler, opened the series with five consecutive wins, including four consecutive shutouts.
THE LAST TIME VS. BULLDOGS
Eastern and Butler last met Feb. 16, 2024, in Indianapolis where the host Bulldogs took a 4-1 victory, their second in as many meetings. After falling behind, 1-0, following doubles, Andrea Quiroz scored a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles, but it was not enough as BU scored wins at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 to secure the team win.
WHAT IS LOVE?
The Eagles and Bulldogs will play on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), marking consecutive years Eastern has played on the 'Day of Love' following its 4-3 road win at Cleveland State in 2025. The first instance came in 1998 in a 6-3 home loss to Michigan State before the Eagles scored a 6-1 home win in 2004 over UIC. From there, EMU dropped three consecutive Feb. 14 dates, including a 7-0 score to Colorado State at Nebraska in 2009, 5-2 at Nebraska in 2014, and 5-2 at Pittsburgh in 2015. Last year's win moved EMU to 2-3 on the day.
STRONG START
With its 4-0 loss at Michigan State, Feb. 1, Eastern saw its perfect start to the season come to an end as the Eagles now stand 6-1. The 6-0 start tied for the best start in program history as the 2002-03 squad also opened its season at 6-0. Despite the loss in their seventh match, the 2002-03 team would rebound with an eight-match winning streak to open the year 14-1 on its way to reaching the finals of the MAC Tournament.
ROAD WINS
The loss at Michigan State (Feb. 1) also was the first of the year on the road for EMU, which halted their four-match winning streak away from home. The 4-0 start tied for the third-best road showing in program history with only the 2002-03 and 1983-84 teams starting better as both opened at 6-0.
HOME PROTECTION
Since taking over the program ahead of the 2023-24 season, the Eagles hold a 23-2 record at home under Ryan Kucera, a mark that included the Eagles going a perfect 11-0 at home in 2024, 10-2 last year, and 2-0 in 2026 following their 4-3 defeat of Oakland (Jan. 31). In the previous six seasons played ahead of Kucera's arrival, the Eagles were 21-30, including a 3-4 mark in the 2022-23 season. The win totals also rank as the highest (11) and second-highest (10) in single-season history for the program.
ON THE HORIZON
Eastern, following five consecutive matches away from home, will return to action in Ypsilanti, Friday, Feb. 20, when the Eagles play host to Bradley University. The Eagles and Braves will meet inside the Chippewa Club with first serve set for 1 p.m.
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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