Women’s tennis earns MAC regular season championship, clinches spot in 2025 conference tournament

The Miami University RedHawks women’s tennis team (9-9, 8-1 in conference play) secured a spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament with its win over Western Michigan University on April 13.

The RedHawks’ 5-2 victory on Senior Day brought them their eighth win in conference play and solidified their spot as regular season conference champions.

The long road to the MAC tournament started in late September. Before the 2025 regular season began, the RedHawks competed in six tournaments, including winning the conference fall championships.

“Last semester, we had some good wins,” senior Sara Zalukar said. “That was a really good start to our offseason. And then coming here, before school started during winter break, we had some tough matches because we played really good schools, but I feel like they set us up for success.”

When the RedHawks opened the season at Youngstown State University on Jan. 25, they slid to six-straight losses. They earned their first win 7-0 against the University of Dayton on March 2, but two more losses sent Miami into MAC play at 1-8.

However, the tough competition before conference play didn’t damper the RedHawks. After taking a 4-3 win over the University of Toledo Rockets, Miami embarked on a six-game winning streak.

“We weren’t too worried about it,” Zalukar said. “We know what to expect from our conference, and those matches before were really tough. It was just good preparation.”

Head coach Ricardo Rosas emphasizes facing adversity as a vital factor for the RedHawks. Any tennis match can turn around at a given moment.

“He’s always going to say, ‘Try to raise your level and play even better,’” senior Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek said. “Get that intensity up and just keep fighting to the end.”

The RedHawks dominated the Bowling Green State University Falcons twice (6-1 on March 21 and 7-0 on March 28) and the University of Buffalo Bulls (6-1 on March 23). However, Miami’s winning streak includes four 4-3 victories.

During those matches, the RedHawks reflect on what Rosas tells them and keep looking for the next point.

“Every point matters from the beginning,” Denysiewicz-Slowek said. “It’s really [just] stepping on the court and really being focused, ready for every point and giving it your all.”

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One of the biggest obstacles the RedHawks face halfway through the season is switching to playing outdoors in late February. However, this year’s weather conditions added to the difficulties.

The players keep their focus on the factors that they can control. Everything else is something they just have to deal with.

“It’s a little more frustrating with all the wetter conditions,” Zalukar said. “[Is it] cool, sunny or windy? Wind is the biggest thing, but our approach [is] always to control controllables. We just have to focus on ourselves to do the best [we can].”

On April 11, Toledo handed Miami its first and, so far, only loss in MAC play, 4- 3. The Rockets have ended the RedHawks’ run in the past three conference tournaments. Last season, Miami lost the MAC championship 4-1 to Toledo.

Miami has one more match before the MAC tournament begins on April 24. Toledo hosts the tournament, and the RedHawks are preparing for a potential rematch with the Rockets in the postseason.

The RedHawks close out the regular season on April 18 against the Northern Illinois University Huskies. One week later, they will begin fighting for the team’s first MAC championship title since 2019 and the second under Rosas.

@kethanbabu_04

babukc2@miamioh.edu