OXFORD, Ohio- Western Michigan women's tennis fell to No. 1 seed Ball State in the Mid-American Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon. The Broncos finish the season with a 19-9 overall record and a 6-2 record in the MAC under first year head coach Ryan Tomlinson. WMU entered the MAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and defeated Toledo and defending champions Miami to reach the MAC Championship.

The Broncos 19-9 record is the programs best since 2009 when WMU finished with a 21-8 overall record. 

Freshman Melina Lyubomirova and Denise Azcui were both named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.

“We left it all out there today,” Tomlinson said. “We lost the doubles point before we knew what hit us, but we bounced back and competed in singles.”

The Broncos dropped matches at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Western Michigan forced third sets in three singles matches but Ball State was able to win the three other matches in straight sets to earn the win.

“Three matches in three days hurt us,” Tomlinson said. “Credit Ball State they payed well and deserved to win.”

Junior Tracy Kuhle finished the season with a team leading 27-11 record in singles and a 22-8 record in doubles with partner Lyubomirova. Junior Barbare Eristavi finished the season with a 24-10 overall singles record, which included an 11-game winning streak and an 8-0 MAC record. Eristavi also recorded a 6-2 doubles record in conference play with freshman Katja Fevralev. Fevralev finished the season with a 21-10 overall singles record.

Azcui finished the season with a 24-12 record in singles and a 6-1 doubles record with partner junior Meika Ashby. Azcui also recorded a 6-1 singles record against MAC opponents. 

“19-9 on the season and playing for a regular season title and MAC tournament title is something to be proud of,” Tomlinson said. “I wouldn't trade these six kids for anyone else in the league, Fight On!”

Singles vs. Ball State

1. Peyton Gollhofer (BALL) def. Melina Lyubomirova (WMU) 6-3, 6-4

2. Carmen Blanco (BALL) def. Tracy Kuhle (WMU) 6-3, 7-5

3. Audrey Berger (BALL) vs. Barbare Eristavi (WMU) 3-6, 6-1, 5-5, unfinished

4. Toni Ormond (BALL) vs. Katja Fevralev (WMU) 6-2, 4-6, 3-3, unfinished

5. Isabelle Dohanics (BALL) vs. Meika Ashby (WMU) 2-6, 6-1, 5-2, unfinished

6. Rosalinda Calderon (BALL) def. Denise Azcui (WMU) 6-0, 6-4

Doubles vs. Ball State

1. Rosalinda Calderon/Julia Sbircea (BALL) vs. Tracy Kuhle/Melina Lyubomirova (WMU) 5-4, unfinished

2. Audrey Berger/Peyton Gollhofer (BALL) def. Barbare Eristavi/Katja Fevralev (WMU) 6-0

3. Carmen Blanco/Bethany Moore (BALL) def. Meika Ashby/Denise Azcui (WMU) 6-3