Tennis To Start Spring Schedule At Notre Dame This Sunday

Bowling Green, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University tennis program will open their spring schedule this weekend, traveling to face Notre Dame on Sunday (Jan. 19) for a double-header. The first match will start at 10:00 a.m. with the second set for a 4:00 p.m. start. The Falcons and Fighting Irish met early last season as well, being the Falcons third match of the spring schedule during the 2018-19 season. Notre Dame came away with the win in that match, but saw two of their athletes graduate at the end of last season, presenting a new look team this year.

Focusing On The Fighting Irish
Like the Falcons, this weekend will open play for the Fighting Irish in the spring, last taking the court on Nov. 7-8 at the Arizona State Invitational. In all, Notre Dame took part in four invitations as well as the ITA Regionals during the fall, playing in the Auburn Invitational, Michigan Invitational and Kitty Harrison Invitational, hosted by North Carolina, in addition to Arizona State's invitational. The Fighting Irish carry a roster of eight, consisting of two seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

Look Back At The Fall
Like Notre Dame, the Falcons participated in four invitationals during the fall campaign as well as the ITA Regionals. Play began for Bowling Green at the BGSU Invitational before moving on to the Purdue Invitational followed by the Cincinnati Invitational and concluding with the Buffalo Invitational. During the invitationals, the Falcons flexed their strength in doubles play, seeing the duo of Marharita-Sophia Tavpash and Marta Bettinelli claim win after win. Tavpash is joined by Ayumi Sasaki as the seniors on the squad. The junior class features Bettinelli and Yulia Kapitanova with Laura Silveira being the lone sophomore. For freshmen on the roster, the Orange and Brown have two, being Majo Magro and Ioanna Tsadari.

Checking The Record Book
In the record book, Tavpash will have the opportunity to jump up on the all-time doubles win list. Entering with 71 doubles wins in her career, one win would give her sole possession of 13th all-time, while two wins would tie her for ninth in program history. As for combined wins, each win would move Tavpash up the list with a maximum of four wins up for grabs this weekend. If she captures all four, Tavpash would move into a tie for 21st in program history. Fellow senior Sasaki is nearing the top 30 for career singles wins, currently with 46. Just one win would tie her for 30th all-time and place her name on the list.

Last Season Recap
A year ago, the Falcons finished the spring schedule with a 10-10 record while being 3-4 within the MAC, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth with Buffalo and Toledo. With tie-breakers, the Falcons were the odd team out of the MAC Tournament. As a team, Bowling Green saw players climb the all-time wins lists, including now Assistant Coach Paula Comella reaching No. 6 all-time in both doubles and combined career wins.

Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' tennis team throughout the season on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @BGSUTennis
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsuwtennis'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'

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Marta Bettinelli

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Yulia Kapitanova

Majo Magro

Ayumi Sasaki

Laura Maia Silveira

Marharita-Sophia Tavpash

Ioanna Tsadari

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