Box Score

Western Michigan Results

KALAMAZOO, Mich. ââ'¬" Miami University's women's tennis team clinched a share of its eighth-consecutive and 23rd overall Mid-American Conference regular-season title Sunday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over Western Michigan University at the Sorenson Courts. This is the second title in as many seasons for head coach Yana S. Carollo.

The RedHawks (12-9, 7-1 MAC) will share the championship with Ball State, with the Cardinals earning the top seed in next weekend's MAC Women's Tennis Championship due to their 4-3 win on April 1. Miami will be the No. 2 seed in the field and receives a first-round bye. The official brackets and schedule will be released later by the conference.

Miami faced a tough challenge in doubles from the Broncos (17-7, 6-2 MAC), who were also looking to earn a regular-season title with a victory. The RedHawks struck first as junior Andreea Badileanu and freshman Anzhelika Shapovalova topped Barbare Eristavi and Katja Fevralev, 6-4, at No. 2 position. Following a WMU victory at third-flight, sophomores Nelli Ponomareva and Anastasiia Vasiukhina clinched the opening point with a 7-5 first-flight result against Tracy Kuhle and Melina Lyubomirova. The pair completed MAC play with a 4-0 record and have prevailed in six-straight outings.

Sophomore Hannah Shteyn increased Miami's lead to 2-0 with a quick 6-2, 6-0 decision over Lyubomirova at No. 1 position. After a Broncos win at second-flight, the RedHawks used two victories to clinch the match and a championship. Freshman Emily Struble downed Meika Ashby, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 5 position to finish her rookie season at 28 wins and an unbeaten conference record. Her mark ties Badileanu for both the most singles victories by a Miami player in a single season and the most ever for a freshman player. Senior Ana Rajkovic clinched the title with a 6-4, 6-4 sixth-flight victory over Denise Azcui. The final point of the day was turned in by Badileanu, who came back to defeat Fevralev, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Miami now turns its attention to the MAC Women's Tennis Championiship this weekend at the Hepburn Varsity Tennis Courts in Oxford. In the case of inclement weather, matches will be moved to the Riverside Athletic Club in Hamilton.

Check MiamiRedHawks.com this week for official information regarding the matchups and scheduling for the tournament, as well as any notifications of time and venue changes. The website will also have any announcements of post-season conference awards.

DOUBLES
1. Nelli Ponomareva / Anastasiia Vasiukhina (MIAMI) def. Tracy Kuhle / Melina Lyubomirova (WMU), 7-5
2. Andreea Badileanu / Anzhelika Shapovalova (MIAMI) def. Barbare Eristavi / Katja Fevralev (WMU), 6-4
3. Meika Ashby / Denise Azcui (WMU) def. Ana Rajkovic / Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI), 7-5

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1

SINGLES
1. Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI) def. Melina Lyubomirova (WMU), 6-2, 6-0
2. Tracy Kuhle (WMU) def. Nelli Ponomareva (MIAMI), 6-3, 6-4
3. Barbare Eristavi (WMU) def. Anzhelika Shapovalova (MIAMI), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Andreea Badileanu (MIAMI) def. Katja Fevralev (WMU), 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
5. Emily Struble (MIAMI) def. Meika Ashby (WMU), 6-1, 6-3
6. Ana Rajkovic (MIAMI) def. Denise Azcui (WMU), 6-4, 6-4

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