Kalamazoo, Mich. – The University of Massachusetts tennis team kicked off the 2025 Individual Mid-American Conference Championships on Friday at Western Michigan.
In doubles action, Ella Faessler and Amelia Tye faced off against Eastern Michigan’s Matilde Parreira and Sabrina Tolstova. The UMass duo pulled off a close win, 8-6, and advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday. On the other hand, Amanda de Oliveira and Martina Pavissich had a tougher match against Ball State’s Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco, losing 8-0.
The singles matches saw Faessler triumph over Qianyu Liu from Bowling Green, winning 6-3, 6-4, which also secured her a spot in the quarterfinals. Tye, however, faced Buffalo’s Maria Glowacka and lost 6-4, 6-2.
Looking ahead, Faessler and Tye will resume play in the quarterfinals for doubles at 9 a.m. on Saturday. De Oliveira and Pavissich are set to compete in the consolation doubles matches at 10 a.m. Faessler’s singles quarterfinal is expected to start around 1 p.m., while Tye will also play in the consolation singles, with her match time to be announced.
This event not only showcases the talent of these athletes but also highlights the growing popularity of college tennis in the U.S. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, attendance at college tennis events has increased by 20% over the past three years, reflecting a rising interest in the sport.
As tennis continues to grow, social media trends reveal enthusiastic support from fans, with hashtags like #MACtennis gaining traction. Given the competitive atmosphere and community support, it’s clear that events like these shape the future of collegiate athletics.
For more details on college tennis, you can visit the NCAA’s official site.
