KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's tennis team won its fourth straight and stayed perfect at home with a dominating 7-0 win over rival Eastern Michigan Friday afternoon at West Hills Athletic Club.
"I thought we got off to a fast start in doubles and let our foot off the gas a bit but we were able to close out the doubles point," head coach Ryan Tomlinson said. "Today was a great team win, we won all first sets today and competed very well."
The Broncos improve to 15-6 overall, 4-1 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and a perfect 9-0 at home while the Eagles fell to 3-14 and 0-4 in the MAC.
In a back-and-forth doubles round, the Broncos came away with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 to claim the doubles point. After the duo of Tracy Kuhle/Melina Lyubomirova won 6-4 at No. 1 to improve to 19-6 this season, both courts left were at a stalemate of 6-6. The team of Katja Fevralev/Barbare Eristavi came away with a clutch 7-6 win at No. 2 to secure the doubles point that seemingly could have gone either way.
In singles play, Kuhle made quick work of her opponent at No. 2, winning 6-2, 6-0 to improve to a team-best 22-10. Fevralev was right behind, earning a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4 to move to 18-7 and Eristavi came away with the match clincher, a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 3 to extend her winning streak to six matches. After the match was clinched, Lyubomirova won 7-5, 2-6, 10-7 at No. 1 to improve to 19-15, freshman Denise Azcui won her ninth straight match with a 7-6 (3), 6-2 win at No. 5 and junior Meika Ashby won the final match of the day at No. 6, 6-3, 5-7, 13-11.
Singles competition
1. Melina Lyubomirova (WMU) def. Klara Supejova (EMU) 7-5, 2-6, 10-7
2. Tracy Kuhle (WMU) def. Andrea Martinovska (EMU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Barbare Eristavi (WMU) def. Ani Gogvadze (EMU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Katja Fevralev (WMU) def. Marie Mayerova (EMU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Denise Azcui (WMU) def. Anna Veleva (EMU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
6. Meika Ashby (WMU) def. Renu Sharma (EMU) 6-3, 5-7, 13-11
Doubles competition
1. Tracy Kuhle/Melina Lyubomirova (WMU) def. Klara Supejova/Andrea Martinovska (EMU) 6-4
2. Katja Fevralev/Barbare Eristavi (WMU) def. Ani Gogvadze/Marie Mayerova (EMU) 7-6
3. Meika Ashby/Denise Azcui (WMU) vs. Anna Veleva/Renu Sharma (EMU) 6-6, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,4,3,1,5,6)
