STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
WILLIAMSVILLE — The University at Buffalo women’s tennis team dropped its Mid-American Conference opener to Akron, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at the Miller Tennis Center. Akron, winners of 17 straight matches, pulled away late for the victory.
The Bulls got off to a great start by winning at one and two doubles to earn the doubles point. Tanja Stojanovska and Margarita Kotok defeated Akron’s Carli Knezevich and Karolina Maksimova, 6-2. Anna Savchencko and Chantal Martinez Blanco secured the doubles point with a 6-4 win over Arianda Blinova and Sophia Grier.
Emel Abibula made quick work of Akron’s Rita Pedrosa, winning 6-1, 6-2. The UB freshman improved to 17-6 overall on the season with the win.
The Bulls trailed 3-2 in the match, but were able to force two matches to a third set, giving the Bulls a chance to win. However, Chantal Martinez Blanco lost to Arianda Blinova in three sets at #2 singles and Mercedes Losada Rubio dropped her third set to Akron’s Shannon Newnes at fourth singles.
The Bulls are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they play at Ball State.
