Bowling Green State University Athletics
Orange and Brown Open MAC Play
March 23, 2006 | Women's Tennis
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March 23, 2006
After two and a half months of non-conference play, the Orange and Brown will begin the Mid-American Conference season with a full weekend of MAC action. The Falcons (11-4) will host the Akron Zips (4-7) and the University at Buffalo Bulls (7-2) on Friday and Saturday afternoon, respectively. Both matches will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Toledo's Shadow Valley Tennis and Fitness Center.
The Zips will enter the match posting a 4-7 spring record. The team was selected to finish ninth in the conference in the annual preseason poll.
"They are always dangerous,' said coach Penny Dean not taking the Zips record lightly. "They just added two new players at the top of their line-up."
Duquesne, Wright State, IUPUI and Michigan State have all challenged both Akron and Bowling Green. The related opponents held the Zips winless while BGSU posted three wins. The Spartans blanked each of the MAC programs.
"We are definitely looking forward to our first MAC match," said Dean of the conference opener for each of the squads.
The second day of MAC competition will pin the Falcons against the Buffalo Bulls. Buffalo has played seven of their nine games on the road and is undefeated in two matches at home.
"Buffalo is going to be a big MAC challenge. They are strong from top to bottom and their doubles are outstanding."
The Bulls will have the luxury of one MAC match under their belts before they take on the Falcons. UB will open their MAC season at Western Michigan. The Broncos were voted the No. 1 squad in the MAC in the preseason poll while the Bulls snagged third place.
"It will be to our advantage that we will be at home," said Dean of the strenuous travel the Bulls will have to endure.
Duquesne is the only common opponent between the Falcons and the Bulls. UB held the Dukes scoreless while the Falcons gave up one point for the 6-1 win.
This weekend's matches will be the last MAC season captains Heidi Romer and Andrea Meister will participate in.
"The senior class is so motivated to finish well and leave it all on the court," said Dean.
Currently, the seniors are playing in the highest flights of their careers. Meister has secured the No. 4 singles flight after finding spotted play at the No. 6 flight. Romer has found a home at the third position; two flights higher than last season.
Falcon Non-Conference Notes
Bowling Green was 6-0 at Shadow Valley Tennis and Fitness Club and was 3-1 at a neutral site. The Falcons posted a 2-3 road record.
The Falcons have posted winning records at the No. 1 and No. 3-No. 6 flights.
Kelsey Jakupcin's 12 wins at the No. 5 flight leads the Falcons. Heidi Romer's 11 wins and Stefanie Menoff's 10 wins position the players atop the BGSU leader boards.
The 11 wins in the non-conference season is one of coach Penny Dean's best starts in her 16-year career at BGSU. Dean also posted an 11-4 non-conference record in the 1993-94 season.
Bowling Green has earned two conference Player of the Week honorees; Kelsey Jakupcin (2-7) and Jenna Nussbaum (3-15). BGSU is second only to the Western Michigan Broncos who had earned three honorees.
The sister act of Ashley and Kelsey Jakupcin are 4-0 in recent doubles parings at the No. 2 flight while the consistent partnership of Andrea Volle and Andrea Meister have posted a 9-5 record at the No. 2 and No. 3 flights.
