Bulls Sweep Huskies On Senior Day, 7-0

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's tennis team ended the home portion of its schedule on Friday with an easy 7-0 victory over Northern Illinois.  The victory marked UB's first conference win of the season.  Today was also the final home match for UB's two seniors, Aleksandra Petrova and Diana Popescu.

The Bulls had little trouble in doubles as the first and third teams finished almost at the exact same time with identical 8-2 victories.  At first doubles Popescu and Miranda Podlas defeated Emily Rogers and Haley Dekkinga, while at third doubles, Marta Stoyanova and Shelby Bates defeated Kelly Phillips and Ilse Pacheco.  UB swept the action at second doubles where Petrova and Kira Golenko defeated Kathryn Friedlund and Sara McLaughlin, 8-4.

In singles action, Buffalo took five the six matches in straight sets.  Stoyanova picked up the first win  at third singles, where she defeated Rogers, 6-3, 6-0.  She was soon followed up by Podlas at sixth singles, who beat Pacheco, 6-3, 6-0.  Petrova won her match at second singles over Martina Schnapp, 6-0, 6-1, which clinched the match for the Bulls. Popescu added to the victory at first singles with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Phillips and Golenko defeated McLaughlin at fourth singles, 6-4, 1-6, 10-4.  Sophomore Tamara Markovic won the last match at fifth singles over Dekkinga, 7-5, 6-0.

"This was a great team win on Senior Day," said head coach Kathy Twist.  "These two seniors have left a legacy of winning and I know that they will use today's victory to prepare themselves for the rest of the season.

The Bulls will conclude the regular season with two matches on the road next weekend. First they will be at Ball State on Friday beginning at 1:00 pm.

Doubles:

1. Diana Popescu/Miranda Podlas (UB) def. Emily Rogers/Haley Dekkinga (NIU), 8-2

2. Aleksandra Petrova/Kira Golenko (UB) def. Kathryn Friedlund/Sara McLaughlin (NIU), 8-4

3. Marta Stoyanova/Shelby Bates (UB) def. Kelly Phillips/Ilse Pacheco (NIU), 8-2

Order of Finish: 3,1,2

Singles:

1. Diana Popescu (UB) def. Kelly Phillips (NIU), 6-1, 6-2

2. Aleksandra Petrova (UB) def. Martina Schnapp (NIU), 6-0, 6-1

3. Marta Stoyanova (UB) def. Emily Rogers (NIU), 6-3, 6-0

4. Kira Golenko (UB) def. Sara McLaughlin (NIU), 6-4, 1-6, 10-4

5. Tamara Markovic (UB) def. Haley Dekkinga (NIU), 7-5, 6-0

6. Miranda Podlas (UB) def. Ilse Pacheco (NIU), 6-3, 6-0

Order of Finish: 3,6,2,1,4,5