Tennis - The Eastern Echo

Jeff Westmeyer named Eastern Michigan’s 11th Head tennis coach: A proven program builder returns to the MAC

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, June 6, 2026

Jeff Westmeyer has been appointed as the 11th head tennis coach at Eastern Michigan University, bringing a storied legacy of national success from the University of Findlay to the Eagles' program. A two-time conference Coach of the Year with deep roots in the Mid-American Conference, Westmeyer aims to transform EMU into a powerhouse through a focus on competitive ferocity, academic excellence, and comprehensive player development.

Eastern Michigan vs Buffalo Women's Tennis

End of an era in Ypsilanti: Head coach Ryan Kucera announces resignation as Eastern Michigan launches national search

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, May 18, 2026

After three seasons of record-breaking home dominance and significant postseason progress, Head Coach Ryan Kucera has officially resigned from the Eastern Michigan University tennis program. The university has launched a national search for its 12th head coach to build upon the foundation of individual player accolades and the first 100-win careers seen in Ypsilanti in a decade.

A group of about 10 people stands together on a tennis court.

Beyond the baseline: Eastern Michigan’s Daneva and Mendez Carreño ace the Academic All-District honors

By Ruby Brannon · Friday, May 15, 2026

Iva Daneva and Regina Mendez Carreño of the Eastern Michigan University tennis program have been named to the 2025-26 CSC Academic All-District team, recognizing their elite performance in the classroom and on the court. To earn this national honor, both student-athletes maintained a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA while competing in at least 75 percent of the team's spring schedule.

MAC Freshman of the Year: Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya's historic freshman year

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, April 29, 2026

After being named the 2026 MAC Freshman of the Year and earning First Team All-MAC honors, Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya capped off one of the most impactful debut seasons in Eastern Michigan history. The freshman’s rapid rise to the No. 1 singles spot and success against top conference talent established her as both a present force and future cornerstone for the program.

Eastern Michigan takes on the Ball State Cardinals

By Darrell Justice · Sunday, April 5, 2026

The Eastern Michigan Eagles fell 6-1 to the Ball State Cardinals on April 3, 2026, as Ball State controlled doubles play and secured five of six singles matches. Despite a strong comeback win at No. 1 singles from Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya, Eastern Michigan will look to regroup before facing the Miami University RedHawks on April 12 in Oxford, Ohio.

Eastern Michigan tennis takes on the Buffalo Bulls

By Darrell Justice · Monday, March 30, 2026

Eastern Michigan fell 6–1 to Buffalo on March 27, 2026, at The Chippewa Club, struggling to recover after dropping the doubles point early in the match. Despite a strong comeback singles win from Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya, the Eagles were unable to overcome Buffalo’s depth and now turn their focus to their upcoming matchup against Ball State.

Eastern Michigan tennis takes on the Buffalo Bulls

By Darrell Justice · Monday, March 30, 2026

Eastern Michigan fell 6–1 to Buffalo on March 27, 2026, at The Chippewa Club, struggling to recover after dropping the doubles point early in the match. Despite a strong comeback singles win from Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya, the Eagles were unable to overcome Buffalo’s depth and now turn their focus to their upcoming matchup against Ball State.

Eagles fly high: Eastern Michigan tennis dominates Toledo for first MAC win

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 24, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University tennis team secured its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season with a commanding 6-1 win over the University of Toledo on March 22, 2026. This pivotal home win at the Chippewa Club improved the Eagles’ home record to 25-3 under head coach Ryan Kucera and featured standout performances from a talented group of freshmen.

Two women's tennis players bump elbows on the court.

Women's tennis: Eastern Michigan falls to Bowling Green

By Darrell Justice · Sunday, March 22, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University women's tennis team fell in a tightly contested 4-3 match to the Bowling Green State University Falcons on March 20, 2026, in Perrysburg, Ohio, dropping their record to 9-8 after a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final singles match. Despite strong singles performances from Sabrina Tolstova and Matilde Parreira, the Falcons secured the decisive point to snap Eastern Michigan’s four-match winning streak in the series.

Brave stand in Amherst: Tolstova grabs lone point as Eagles face new MAC rival

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, March 16, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University tennis team faced a challenging road test against conference newcomer UMass Amherst, ultimately falling 6-1 in their first-ever meeting. Despite the team loss, Sabrina Tolstova highlighted the afternoon with a resilient victory at No. 3 singles to secure the Eagles' lone point.

Eagles narrowly defeated by Huskies in hard-fought MAC opener

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, March 14, 2026

Eastern Michigan University’s tennis team dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to Northern Illinois University in their first conference match of the season on March 13, 2026. While the Eagles saw impressive victories from their freshman class and veteran players, the Huskies managed to clinch the decisive points in singles play to secure the win.

Mendez Carreño grabs solo victory as Eagles fall to North Florida in nonconference finale

By Ruby Brannon · Thursday, March 5, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University tennis team concluded its nonconference schedule with a 6-1 loss on the road against the nationally-ranked University of North Florida on March 4, 2026. Despite the team's defeat, Regina Mendez Carreño provided a spark for the Eagles by securing a gritty straight-sets victory at the No. 6 singles position.

Eagles aim to bounce back in Jacksonville following loss to Stetson Hatters

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 3, 2026

On March 2, 2026, the Eastern Michigan University women’s tennis team traveled to DeLand, Florida, for their first outdoor match of the season against Stetson University. Despite a hard-fought battle in doubles play that came down to a tiebreaker, the Eagles were ultimately swept 7-0 by the Hatters.

Resilient Eagles rally from 3-1 deficit to stun Bradley 4-3

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University Eagles battled back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Bradley University Braves 4-3 in a dramatic comeback victory. Fueled by late-game execution and relentless energy, the Eagles flipped the momentum to secure one of their most resilient wins of the season.

An Eastern Michigan lacrosse player in a white jersey with a green number 9 stands holding her crosse against her body while looking to the left.

Eagles ascend: 5 Eastern Michigan student-athletes named MAC weekly honorees

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Eastern Michigan University dominated the Mid-American Conference weekly awards, with five athletes across lacrosse and tennis earning honors after standout performances on the field and court. Led by a lacrosse sweep and a breakout showing from the freshman tennis duo, the Eagles’ latest accolades signal a rising standard of excellence as both programs continue their strong 2026 campaigns.

Eagles Tennis sweeps Big East road trip: DePaul and Butler fall to rising EMU squad

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University women’s tennis team completed a dominant Big East road trip, defeating DePaul and Butler with strong doubles play and standout freshman performances. The victories not only snapped a losing streak but also highlighted the team’s depth and resilience, setting the Eagles up for continued success this season.

#6 Fernanda Ovalle, in a green Eastern Michigan University jersey, dribbling the ball.

Eagle Sports Tips & Tales | Jan. 20-26

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

This guide to sports at Eastern Michigan University for Jan. 20–26, 2026, highlights a busy week of competition across multiple sports, paired with key historical notes from each program. Featuring home and road matchups in basketball, gymnastics, track and field, swimming and diving, and women’s tennis, this guide provides fans with viewing information and context on rivalries, records and past performances shaping the week ahead.

Several college-aged gymnasts wearing black and green Eastern Michigan University leotards energetically high-five one another and smile.

Eagle Sports Tips & Tales | Jan. 13-19

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026

This mid-January bulletin previews key upcoming matchups for EMU gymnastics, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s basketball, and track and field, pairing current scouting reports with notable historical results that show how the Eagles have traditionally performed during this exact week in previous years.

Eastern Michigan women’s tennis falls to .500 on season in heartbreaker to Miami, 4-3

By Caleb Henderson · Friday, April 4, 2025

This was the fourth consecutive match for the Eagles that was destined to end in a 4-3 score, all against MAC competition. While Eastern Michigan had been 2-1 in the previous three outcomes, this time around they would have no such luck.

Eastern Michigan women’s tennis completes clean sweep against SVSU, 7-0

By Caleb Henderson · Saturday, March 15, 2025

For the first time since the 2021-22 season, the Eastern Michigan women’s tennis team have won back to back matches via a clean sweep - making quick work of Saginaw Valley State via a clean sweep, 7-0.