In a display of grit and competitive resilience, the Eastern Michigan University tennis team orchestrated a dramatic comeback to defeat Bradley University 4-3 on February 20, 2026. Competing at the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti, the Eagles overcame a daunting 3-1 deficit by winning three consecutive three-set singles matches to secure the victory. This hard-fought win improved EMU’s season record to 9-3, continuing one of the most successful starts in the program's history.
A challenging start in doubles
The afternoon began with a challenging doubles round, in which Bradley secured the doubles point by winning two of the three matches. EMU’s lone bright spot in doubles came at the No. 1 position, where Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya teamed up with Kseniia Saenko for a dominant 6-1 victory. This match was particularly notable as it marked Saenko’s return to competitive play after a hiatus dating back to the 2024-25 season. Despite this early success, the Braves claimed wins at No. 2, 6-4, and No. 3, 6-3 to take an initial 1-0 lead in the dual. Head coach Ryan Kucera later reflected that the team struggled with aggression and execution during the doubles point, forcing them to rely on their "most disciplined" play in singles.
Singles play and a daunting deficit
As singles play commenced, Pehal Kharadkar provided an immediate response for the Eagles. At the No. 4 spot, she sprinted to a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over Anna Belogliadova, briefly leveling the score at 1-1. The win was significant for Kharadkar personally, as it snapped a five-match losing streak and marked her 11th singles win of the season. However, the momentum shifted back to Bradley as they secured victories at the No. 3 and No. 2 positions. Mariia Pukhina defeated Sabrina Tolstova 6-2, 6-4, and Ruby Tseng outlasted Lara Diaz Zayas in a tight 6-4, 7-6 (4) contest. With the Braves leading 3-1, Eastern Michigan was left with no margin for error.
Mounting the three-set comeback
The Eagles' rally began at the top of the lineup. At No. 1 singles, Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya engaged in a grueling battle with Valeriia Ivanovskaia. After taking the first set 6-1 and dropping the second 4-6, Hukmasabiyya regained control to win the third set 6-2. This brought the team score to 3-2. The pressure then shifted to the No. 6 position, where Regina Mendez Carreño faced Amber Sharp. Mendez Carreño mirrored the back-and-forth nature of the dual, winning 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 to tie the overall score at 3-3. This win was a personal milestone for Mendez Carreño, marking the 30th victory of her career.
Parreira secures the deciding point
The fate of the entire nearly four-hour match rested on the No. 5 singles court, featuring freshman Matilde Parreira and Bradley’s Compassion Tsai. The match was a see-saw affair; Parreira lost the opening set 5-7 but rebounded with a 6-4 win in the second to force a decider. In the final set, Parreira found herself trailing 4-3. Showing remarkable composure, she held serve to tie it at 4-4, broke Tsai’s serve to take a 5-4 lead, and then served out the match for a 6-4 final set victory. This marked Parreira’s team-leading 13th singles win.
Historical context and record-breaking start
Coach Kucera praised the team’s collective spirit, stating, "To win three straight three-setters after going down 3-1 shows how this team plays together and fights for one another". The victory carries significant historical weight for the program. The 9-3 start is currently the fourth-best in EMU history, trailing only the 2002-03, 1982-83, and 1983-84 squads. Furthermore, the win was Eastern's first over Bradley in exactly 32 years, with their last victory against the Braves occurring on February 20, 1994.
Maintaining momentum and looking ahead
EMU’s success in one-point matches continues to be a hallmark of the season, as they improved to 4-0 in 4-3 decisions in 2026. The team also remains dominant at home under Coach Kucera, holding an impressive 24-2 home record during his tenure. Following this victory, the Eagles will travel to Florida for non-conference matchups against Stetson University and the University of North Florida, then begin Mid-American Conference play in mid-March.
