KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University tennis team closed its 2023 fall slate at the Bronco Super Challenge, Nov. 10-11, in Kalamazoo, Mich., with the Eagles claiming 10 combined victories in the two-day event hosted by Western Michigan University. Eastern, which played in its fourth event of the fall, will now turn its attention to dual play that begins in January.
Noting The Event
›› Overall, Eastern was 10-14 on the weekend, including 8-8 in singles play and 2-6 in doubles.
›› Linda Eloundou (Yaounde, Cameroon/Augustine Meyou/New Mexico Military Institute) led the way for the Eagles as she posted a perfect 3-0 mark in singles action. Her three wins were the most of any EMU player on the weekend when counting doubles victories as well.
›› Daniella Shved (Holon, Israel/Ort Holon) returned to action for the first time since the season-opening Redbird Invitational (Sept. 29-Oct. 1) and was one of only two Eastern players to record at least one win in both singles and doubles play.
›› Freshman Ksyusha Saenko (Voronezh, Russia/Gymnasium 2) continued to shine as she added two more victories in singles action. She is now just one win behind Eloundou (10 wins) for the team’s lead in singles wins with nine.
Quoting Kucera
“It was a great experience to compete at Western to wrap up the fall,” Head Coach Ryan Kucera said. “Our singles play was strong; we competed at a high level. Our fight and toughness was inspiring. Even though it was an individual tournament, the team made it a point to battle for and support each other with the same energy of a dual match.
“Our doubles is miles ahead of where it was at the start of the fall,” Kucera continued. “We could have been a bit more aggressive and moved forward more at times, and that hurt us in some close matches, but overall, the chemistry and tactics were great. I’m extremely proud of our progress throughout the fall. The team spirit is high and we are excited to keep working for the spring season.”
Day One Recap
Collectively, the Eagles posted a record of 6-8 on the opening day of play, including a 6-5 mark in singles play. Eloundou led the way as she won both of her singles matches, including battling back to take the second match, 2-6, 6-0, 10-5, over Sofia Balsera (Western Michigan). Regina Mendez (Los Cabos, Mexico/Picacho McGregor), Andrea Quiroz (Lima, Peru/La Molina 1278/Alcorn State), Saenko, and Shved each won one singles match with both Quiroz and Saenko winning in three sets.
Day Two Recap
The Eagles participated in one round of singles and two rounds of doubles on the second and final day of competition, Nov. 11. In singles play, Eastern was a combined a 2-3 with Eloundou winning once again to finish the weekend 3-0 in singles as she downed Emilia Jarvinen (Oakland), 7-6(3), 4-6, 10-6. Saenko also added a victory with her 6-2, 6-3 sweep of Katarina Dukic (Chicago State). In doubles action, the duo of Quiroz and Vichare opened with a 6-3 win while the team of Shved and Wendy Zhang (Beijing, China/Crnjanski Gimnzija (Serbia)) grabbing a 6-1 win for the remaining EMU win.
Up Next
With the fall season in the rearview, the Eagles will place their attention on the dual season that will get underway in January. A full spring slate will be announced later in November.
Follow Along
For all things EMU Tennis, be sure to check out the team’s social media accounts, including EMUEaglesTennis on Twitter and EMU_Tennis on Instagram.
2023 BRONCO SUPER CHALLENGE
Nov. 10-11 • Kalamazoo, Mich.
NOV. 10 • DAY ONE
SINGLES • ROUND 1
Beth Yauch (CLE) def. Ksyusha Saenko, 6-3, 6-2
Nia Cooper (CHI) def. Wendy Zhang, 6-2, 6-2
Andrea Quiroz def. Ariane Souligny (WMU), 6-3, 3-6, 11-9
Daniella Shved def. Polina Khotko (WMU), 6-4, 6-3
Regina Mendez def. Tara Montreuil (OAK), 6-1, 6-4
Linda Eloundou def. Alma Orenstain (OAK), 6-2, 6-4
SINGLES • ROUND 2
Ksyusha Saenko def. Valeriya Monko (WMU), 4-6, 7-6(4), 10-4
Nia Cooper (CHI) def. Regina Mendez, 6-1, 6-1
Oihane Vicario (CLE) def. Daniella Shved, 6-4, 6-0
Linda Eloundou def. Sofia Balsera (WMU), 2-6, 6-0, 10-5
Selma Tounsi (CLE) def. Andrea Quiroz, 3-6, 6-1, 12-10
DOUBLES • ROUND 1
Lindsey Zieglar/Valeriya Monko (WMU) def. Linda Eloundou/Ksyusha Saenko, 6-4
Polina Khotko/Karin Hamilton (WMU) def. Andrea Quiroz/Prerna Vichare, 6-3
Tara Montreuil/Isabelle Popma (OAK) def. Daniella Shved/Wendy Zhang, 7-5
NOV. 11 • DAY TWO
SINGLES • ROUND 3
Lindsey Zieglar (WMU) def. Daniella Shved, 6-3, 6-1
Ksyusha Saenko def. Katarina Dukic (CHI), 6-2, 6-3
Linda Eloundou def. Emilia Jarvinen (OAK), 7-6(3), 4-6, 10-6
Sofiya Sedovich (CHI) def. Andrea Quiroz, 7-5, 6-4
Ethel Li (CHI) def. Wendy Zhang, 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES • ROUND 2
Katarina Dukic/Manuella Eloundou (CHI) def. Linda Eloundou/Ksyusha Saenko, 7-5
Andrea Quiroz/Prerna Vichare def. Filippa Frogner/Selma Tounsi (CLE), 6-3
DOUBLES • ROUND 3
Daniella Shved/Wendy Zhang def. Amina Taibi/Helin Alvarez (CHI), 6-1
Katarina Dukic/Manuella Eloundou (CHI) def. Prerna Vichare/Andrea Quiroz, 6-4
Edie Hammond/Emilia Jarvinen (OAK) def. Ksyusha Saenko/Linda Eloundou, 6-4