2003-04 News

The Bulldogs, who were ranked 20th in the latest (April 29) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Poll, dropped all three doubles flights and lost both the numbers one and six singles matches as second-ranked AASU improved to 28-0 overall this campaign. The victory came at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Ferris, which was midst its ninth consecutive and 14th all-time NCAA Divison II Tournament appearance, reached the quarterfinals by defeating East Region champion Millersville 5-0 on Wednesday (May 12) in NCAA-II Sweet Sixteen action. The Bulldogs, who won the Great Lakes Region title to reach the NCAA-II Championships, concluded the year with an 18-8 overall record under fourth-year head coach Dave Ramos.

The loss to AASU was FSU's second this campaign as the Pirates previously captured a 9-0 triumph over the Bulldogs on March 10 in Savannah, Ga. AASU will face top-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii on Friday (May 14) in the national semifinals. The national championships are being co-hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission, Rollins College and the Sunshine State Conference.

The national championships are part of the first-ever Division II National Championships Festival, which features more than 600 Division II student-athletes vying for national titles in women's golf, men's golf, women's lacrosse, softball, men's tennis and women's tennis. This year marks the first time that the NCAA has held a collegiate sports festival which will be contested over a six-day period in the same geographical area.

Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) 5, Ferris State 0

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) lost to Golopencza/Peaty (AASU) 8-2
#2 - Muchow/Nicole Berger (FSU) lost to Nazaruk/Cowper (AASU) 8-0
#3 - Basha/Halbert (FSU) lost to Emmrich/Grage (AASU) 8-1

Order of Finish: Doubles (#2, #3, #1); Singles (#1, #6)

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 20th in the current (April 29) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Poll, swept the doubles round and won the top two singles flights to reach the elite eight round. The match was held at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.

Ferris, which is midst its ninth consecutive and 14th all-time NCAA Divison II Tournament appearance, reached the quarterfinals for only the second time in school history by defeating East Region champion Millersville. MU concluded the year with an 11-4 overall record while the Bulldogs improved to 18-7 overall this campaign. Ferris reached the national championships by winning last weekend's (May 6-7) Great Lakes Regional title in Big Rapids.

FSU will face second-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State on Thursday (May 13) in elite eight action at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla. AASU defeated Rollins 5-0 in Wednesday's action. The national championships are co-hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission, Rollins College and the Sunshine State Conference.

The national championships are being held as part of the first-ever Division II National Championships Festival, which features more than 600 Division II student-athletes vying for national titles in women's golf, men's golf, women's lacrosse, softball, men's tennis and women's tennis. This year marks the first time that the NCAA has held a collegiate sports festival which will be contested over a six-day period in the same geographical area.

Ferris State 5, Millersville (Pa.) 0

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) def. Eckhart/Opilo (MU) 8-6
#2 - Muchow/Nicole Berger (FSU) def. Brewer/Miller (MU) 9-8
#3 - Basha/Halbert (FSU) def. Burdette/Lilli (MU) 8-3

Order of Finish: #1 doubles, #2 doubles, #3 doubles, #1 singles, #2 singles

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 20th in the current (April 29) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Poll, will now advance into the 16-team single elimination national championship field slated for May 12-15 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Ferris, which is midst its ninth consecutive and 14th all-time NCAA Divison II Tournament appearance, reached the final round of 16 for the first time in three years and the fifth time overall by defeating fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member MTU for the second time this campaign. The Bulldogs improved to 17-7 overall while the Huskies concluded the year with an 11-8 overall record. The regional title was FSU's fourth in the last six seasons to date.

FSU will face an East Region opponent to be determined in the NCAA-II Sweet Sixteen on May 12th. The national championships will be co-hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission, Rollins College and the Sunshine State Conference.

Ferris State 5, Michigan Tech 1

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) def. Otunchieva/Chandrahasa (MTU) 8-2
#2 - Muchow/Nicole Berger (FSU) lost to Malinska/O'Dell (MTU) 8-4
#3 - Basha/Halbert (FSU) def. Holmsten/Moritz (MTU) 8-2

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 20th in the current (April 29) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Poll, swept the doubles round and sealed the victory with wins in numbers two and three singles play. FSU improved to 16-7 overall this campaign while Shepherd finished the season at 16-7 overall. Ferris is midst its 14th NCAA Divison II Tournament appearance while the Rams were making their first-ever bid.

Ferris State will square off against fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Michigan Tech on Friday (May 7) at 10 a.m. (EDT).

Friday's regional champion will earn a berth into the 16-team single elimination national championship field slated for May 12-15 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Ferris State 5, Shepherd (W.Va.) 0

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) def. Daniel/Portrey (SC) 8-1
#2 - Muchow/Nicole Berger (FSU) def. Benisek/Burch (SC) 8-2
#3 - Basha/Halbert (FSU) def. Kastle/Clarke (SC) 8-0

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 23rd in the latest (April 7) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings, improved to 15-7 overall this campaign. The 16th-ranked Timberwolves dropped their first match of the season and are presently 18-1 overall.

Ferris won two of three doubles flights and four of six singles encounters en route to the victory. The match was FSU's final regular-season contest this campaign.

NU was listed first and the Bulldogs second in the current Great Lakes Regional rankings entering the match.

Here are the singles results:
#1 - Sue Rossano (NU) def. Barbora Jilkova (FS) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
#2 - Molly Basha (FS) def. Kristina Bogdanovic (NU) 7-6, 6-2
#3 - Aurelie Deridzard (NU) def. Marissa Muchow (FS) 6-2, 6-2
#4 - Laura Schaefer (FS) def. Jenny Johannson (NU) 7-6, 6-3
#5 - Allison Halbert (FS) def. Fatima Arshad (NU) 6-0, 6-0
#6 - Jenna O'Dell (FS) def. Kate Deupree (NU) 6-0, 6-3

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FS) def. Deridzard/Johannson (NU) 8-3
#2 - Bogdanovic/Rossano (NU) def. Muchow/Nicole Berger (FS) 8-3
#3 - Basha/Halbert (FS) def. Arshad/Deupree (NU) 8-1

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 23rd in the latest (April 7) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings, improved to 14-7 overall this campaign. FSU is also ranked second in the current Great Lakes Regional poll while the Greyhounds were tied for sixth.

Ferris won two of three doubles flights and five of six singles encounters en route to the victory. The match was FSU's final regular-season home contest this campaign.

The Bulldogs will visit Northwood this Tuesday (April 20) for a 4 p.m. (EDT) non-league encoutner in Midland, Mich. The match will be FSU's final regular-season outing this season.

Here are the singles results:
#1 - Barbora Jilkova (FSU) lost to Grace Wilhoite (UI) 6-3, 7-5
#2 - Molly Basha (FSU) def. Simmi Rani (UI) 6-0, 6-0
#3 - Laura Schaefer (FSU) def. Gayal Jones (UI) 7-5 (5), 6-2
#4 - Marissa Muchow (FSU) def. Jessica Broadus (UI) 6-1, 6-3
#5 - Allison Halbert (FSU) def. Jeanette Gartner (UI) 6-2, 6-0
#6 - Jenna O'Dell (FSU) def. Christi Brill (UI) 6-3, 6-1

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) lost to Wilhoite/Jones (UI) 8-6
#2 - Muchow/Nicole Berger (FSU) def. Rani/Broadus (UI) 8-4
#3 - Halbert/Basha (FSU) def. Gartner/Lexie Clayton (UI) 8-0

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 22nd in the latest (March 10) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings, fell to 13-7 overall this campaign. FSU is also ranked second in the current Great Lakes Regional poll.

The Broncos improved to 10-7 this season with the win. All six singles flights were won in straight-sets while FSU claimed the number one doubles spot by an 8-6 score. The three doubles matches counted as a single point in the team score per NCAA-I rules.

The Bulldogs will host Indianapolis in a non-conference match Saturday, April 17, at FSU's Racquet and Fitness Center in Big Rapids, Mich. The contest is set for a 3 p.m. (EDT) start.

Here are the singles results:
#1 - Barbora Jilkova (FSU) lost to Frederika Girsang (WMU) 6-3, 6-3
#2 - Molly Basha (FSU) lost to Carrie Jeanmaire (WMU) 6-2, 7-5
#3 - Marissa Muchow (FSU) lost to Reedhina Parekh (WMU) 6-2, 6-3
#4 - Allison Halbert (FSU) lost to Valeria Stoilova (WMU) 6-2, 6-0
#5 - Jenna O'Dell (FSU) lost to Rattiya Hiranrat (WMU) 6-1, 6-0
#6 - Nicole Berger (FSU) lost to Maelynn Bernosky (WMU) 6-2, 6-2

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Muchow (FSU) def. Hiranrat/Stoilova (WMU) 8-6
#2 - Halbert/Basha (FSU) lost to Parekh/Jeanmaire (WMU) 8-4
#3 - Berger/O'Dell (FSU) lost to Girsang/Bernosky (WMU) 8-3

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 22nd in the latest (March 10) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings, improved to 13-6 overall this campaign. FSU is second in the current regional poll while the Lakers are seventh.

"This was a great match for us," said fourth-year FSU head coach Dave Ramos. "Everyone responded and played with great intensity and focus. GVSU had a few talented players to test us, but not quite enough depth."

The Bulldogs will visit NCAA Division I Western Michigan this Saturday (March 27) for a 6 p.m. (EST) non-conference encounter at Kalamazoo, Mich.

Here are the singles results:
#1 - Barbora Jilkova (FSU) def. Marie Cameron (GVSU) 6-0, 6-0
#2 - Molly Basha (FSU) def. Nikki Fairchild (GVSU) 7-6, 7-5
#3 - Marissa Muchow (FSU) def. Alison Koopsen (GVSU) 7-5, 6-4
#4 - Laura Schaefer (FSU) def. Kim VanSprange (GVSU) 6-2, 6-1
#5 - Allison Halbert (FSU) def. Laura Sukup (GVSU) 6-1, 6-0
#6 - Jenna O'Dell (FSU) def. Zanobia Syed (GVSU) 6-1, 6-0

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (FSU) def. Cameron/Sukup (GVSU) 8-2
#2 - Basha/Muchow (FSU) lost to Koopsen/Fairchild (GVSU) 8-5
#3 - Halbert/Nicole Berger (FSU) def. VanSprange/Natalie Pallett (GVSU) 8-6

Ferris dropped to 12-6 overall this campaign with the non-conference loss. The Bulldogs will host Grand Valley State Thursday, March 25, in a 1 p.m. (EST) non-conference encounter at Big Rapids, Mich.

Here are the singles results:
#1 - Diana Ghergi def. Molly Basha (FSU) 6-1, 6-0
#2 - Raluca Moldovan def. Marissa Muchow (FSU) 6-3, 6-2
#3 - Suzanne Visagie def. Allison Halbert (FSU) 6-1, 6-0
#4 - Vita Feldmane def. Jenna O'Dell (FSU) 7-5, 7-5
#5 - Marianne Berry def. Nicole Berger (FSU) 6-0, 6-2
#6 - Jessica Spencer (CSU) won by default

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Diana Ghergi/Raluca Moldovan def. Barbora Jilkova/Laura Schaefer (FSU) 8-2
#2 - Marianne Berry/Suzanne Visagie def. Molly Basha/Marissa Muchow (FSU) 8-5
#3 - Lindsay Gross/Jessica Spencer def. Allison Halbert/Jenna O'Dell (FSU) 8-4

FSU fell to 12-5 overall this season with the non-league loss and will now conclude its annual spring trip Saturday (March 13) with a 10 a.m. (EST) non-conference tilt at Columbus State (Ga.).

Here are the singles match results:
#1 - Camilia Sagae (UNF) def. Barbora Jilkova (Ferris) 6-4, 6-3
#2 - Molly Basha (Ferris) def. Yevgenia Barysheva (UNF) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
#3 - Liliana Hung (UNF) def. Marissa Muchow (Ferris) 7-5, 6-1
#4 - Julie Stoppelli (UNF) def. Allison Halbert (Ferris) 6-3, 6-2
#5 - Melody LeGoff (Ferris) def. Jenna O’Dell (Ferris) 6-2, 6-0
#6 - Melanie Eng (UNF) def. Nicole Berger (Ferris) 6-1, 6-4

Here are the doubles results:
#1 - Jilkova/Schaefer (Ferris) def. Hung/Stoppelli (UNF) 8-2
#2 - Eng/Sagae (UNF) def. Basha/Muchow (Ferris) 8-4
#3 - Barysheva/LeGoff (UNF) def. Halbert/Berger (Ferris) 8-5

The Bulldogs fell to 12-4 overall with the loss while AASU improved to 11-0 overall this campaign with the victory.

Here are the singles results:
#1 – Zsofi Golopencza (AASU) def. Barbara Jilkova (FSU) 6-0, 6-1
#2 – Luisa Cowper (AASU) def. Molly Basha (FSU) 6-0, 6-1
#3 – Caroline Grage (AASU) def. Marissa Muchow (FSU) 6-4, 6-1
#4 – Manuela Emmrich (AASU) def. Allison Halbert (FSU) 6-1, 6-0
#5 – Kristen Kelly (AASU) def. Jenna O’Dell (FSU) 6-3, 6-1
#6 – Alejandra Aguilar (AASU) def. Nicole Berger (FSU) 7-5, 6-1

Here are the doubles results:
#1 – Cowper/Nazaruk (AASU) def. Jilkova/Muchow (FSU) 8-3
#2 – Golopencza/Peaty (AASU) def. Basha/Halbert (FSU) 8-1
#3 – Emmrich/Grage (AASU) def. O’Dell/Berger (FSU) 8-1

Ferris dropped to 12-3 overall with the loss in the second match of their annual spring trip to the Southeastern portion of the United States. The Bulldogs' match scheduled for Monday (March 8) at South Carolina-Spartanburg was previously cancelled.

The Bulldogs are ranked 22nd in the latest (Feb. 25) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings while Georgia College & State was ranked 10th. Ferris will face Armstrong Atlantic State Wednesday (March 10) in a 2 p.m. (EST) non-league tilt at Savannah, Ga.

Georgia College & State 9, Ferris State 0

Ferris improved to 12-2 overall with the victory while the Royals dropped to 6-6 overall. Sunday's match represented FSU's initial match of the spring season.

The Bulldogs are ranked 22nd in the latest (Feb. 25) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Rankings. Ferris will visit South Carolina-Spartanburg Monday (March 8) for a 3 p.m. (EST) match in Spartanburg, S.C.

FSU is slated to play six road matches against non-league opponents on its annual spring break trip to the Southeastern portion of the United States. The Bulldogs will play matches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida this week.

Ferris State 9, Queens (N.C.) 0

FSU, which concluded the fall campaign with an 11-2 mark, defeated seventh-seeded Saginaw Valley State by a score of 5-0 in round one and edged third-seeded Mercyhurst 5-1 in the second round on Friday (Oct. 24) to reach the title match. The Bulldogs dropped all four completed singles flights in Saturday's contest after edging the Timberwolves 2-1 in the doubles round.

Northwood reached Saturday's final with identical 5-1 wins over eighth-seeded Lake Superior State and number four seed Michigan Tech. Ferris State defeated Northern Michigan 5-2 in last season's (10/26/02) championship match to claim a share of its 18th league title in the last 19 seasons.

Northwood 5, Ferris State 2
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FSU, which improved to 11-1 overall this campaign, defeated seventh-seeded Saginaw Valley State by a score of 5-0 in round one and edged third-seeded Mercyhurst 5-1 in the second round. Ferris will face top-seeded Northwood in Saturday's (Oct. 25) title match at 9 a.m. (EDT).

The Bulldogs won all three doubles matches in both contests. Senior Barbora Jilkova won both of her singles matches while freshmen Allison Halbert and Marissa Muchow each picked up one singles win in completed flights.

Northwood reached Saturday's final with identical 5-1 wins over eighth-seeded Lake Superior State and number four seed Michigan Tech. Ferris State defeated Northern Michigan 5-2 in last season's (10/26/02) championship match to claim a share of its 18th league title in the last 19 seasons.

Ferris State 5, Saginaw Valley State 0
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Ferris State 5, Mercyhurst 1
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The Ferris State University women's tennis doubles tandem of senior Barbora Jilkova (Prague, Czech Republic) and sophomore Laura Schaefer (St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo) placed seventh overall in the Division II field at the 2003 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Small College Championships Friday (Oct. 17), which were held at the H.E. Butts Tennis Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Jilkova and Schaefer, who earned a berth in the tournament by winning the ITA Great Lakes Regional doubles title in Indianapolis, Ind. (Sept. 21), defeated Metropolitan State's (Colo.) Jessica and Rebecca Meares 6-0, 3-6, 10-5 in consolation action Friday afternoon. They previously lost to Marie-Julie Barbier and Monika Masalirova of Lynn (Fla.) by a score of 6-2, 6-0 in Thursday's (Oct. 16) opening round and dropped a 6-0, 6-3 consolation decision to Slippery Rock's (Pa.) Jessie Bungo and Ashley Michaux Friday morning.

The National Small College Tennis Championships is an event presented by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and features the top players in the nation battling it out to determine the top small college players in the country.

The event dates back to 1986 and determines national champions for NCAA Divisions II and III, NAIA and junior/community college men's and women's singles and doubles during the first two-and-a-half days of play. Those champions then compete to become the overall national small college champs (for all divisions) on Saturday and Sunday in the ITA "Super Bowl" of Small College Tennis. This tournament is the only national championship event for singles and doubles at the NCAA Division II and NAIA level, and the only tournament that combines all levels of junior/community colleges (NJCAA Divisions I, II and III and the California schools).

Each small college division features eight singles players and eight doubles teams who earned spots into this national event by winning their respective ITA Regional Championships held over the past three weeks throughout the country (as well as some "at-large" selections). All told, nearly 5,000 players compete in 60 regional tournaments to earn spots in the national event, which is being held for the second straight year at the H.E. Butts Tennis Center.

The overall ITA "Super Bowl" of Small College Tennis champions on Sunday will earn wild cards into the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships (Nov. 6-9), hosted by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. This tournament is the second of three national championships for Division I tennis and offers the small college participants the opportunity to become champions for all divisions of collegiate tennis.

As the governing body of collegiate tennis, the ITA promotes both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, which was founded in 1956 and is based in Skillman, N.J., administers numerous regional and national championships and has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership and sportsmanship.

Jilkova previously registered a fifth-place finish while teaming with former Bulldog player Jennifer Garvey (1998-02) at the 2001 ITA National Small College Tennis Championships (10/18), which were held at Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas. They advanced to the national tournament by virtue of claiming the 2001 ITA Mid-American Regional Championship.

FSU, which improved to both 9-1 overall and in league play, dropped only the second doubles encouter and the number six singles flight in the contest. Mercyhurst fell to 8-3 overall and 8-2 in the GLIAC with the loss.

Ferris State senior Barbora Jilkova and sophomore Laura Schaefer will take part in the doubles portion of the 2003 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Small College Championships Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 16-19, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Bulldogs will then compete in the 2003 GLIAC Championships Friday-Saturday, Oct. 24-25, in Midland, Mich. Match times have not yet been determined.

Ferris State 7, Mercyhurst 2

The Bulldogs won all six singles matches in straight-sets while the closest doubles score was 8-6 in the match. Three of the six singles flights were won by 6-0, 6-0 scores. Seven different FSU players saw action in the win as FSU improved to 8-1 both overall and in GLIAC action.

FSU concludes its two-match weekend road swing Saturday (Oct. 11) with a 10 a.m. (EDT) league tilt against Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa.

Ferris State 9, Ashland 0

The Bulldogs won all six singles flights in straight-sets and swept the doubles round en route to the victory. Seven different FSU players saw action in the win. Ferris State improved to both 7-1 overall and 7-1 in league play with the victory.

FSU will visit Ashland this Friday (Oct. 10) for a 3:30 p.m. (EDT) league tilt at Ashland, Ohio.

Ferris State 9, Saginaw Valley State 0

The Bulldogs, who fell to both 6-1 overall and 6-1 in league action this campaign, managed to win the third doubles flight and the number six singles match. The Timberwolves remained undefeated at 6-0 with the victory after winning the top five singles contests and the top two doubles encounters.

Ferris will face Saginaw Valley State this Saturday (Oct. 4) in a 10 a.m. (EDT) league tilt at University Center, Mich.

Northwood 7, Ferris State 2