Bulls Place Three On All-MAC Team

Denise Harijanto named first team; Diana Popescu and Smaranda Stan named second team

Denise Harijanto

BOWLING GREEN, OH – The University at Buffalo women’s tennis team placed a league-best three players on the postseason All-MAC team, which was announced Thursday evening at the league’s annual banquet. Junior Denise Harijanto was named to the All-MAC First Team, while sophomore Diana Popescu and senior Smaranda Stan were named to the All-MAC Second Team.

Harijanto has played at first singles and doubles for the Bulls all season and currently leads the team in singles and doubles victories. Harijanto has a 21-5 record in singles, including a 6-2 mark in the MAC. In doubles play she has paired up with Popescu for one of the top doubles teams in the league. The duo is 21-3 on the year, including a perfect 7-0 in the MAC. This is the third straight year that Harijanto has been honored by the MAC as she was named to the second team during each of her first two years.

Diana Popescu

Popescu has followed up her strong freshman season with another strong year in 2009. She has a 15-9 singles record, including a 13-5 mark at second singles. She is part of the regionally-ranked doubles team with Harijanto that has currently won their last 10 matches. Last season, Popescu was named the Mid-American Conference Co-Freshman of the Year.

Stan saved one of her best performances for her senior season and she picked up her first postseason MAC honor. Stan is second on the team with a 20-8 singles record, including a 12-5 mark at third singles. In MAC matches only, Stan is 7-1 at third singles. In doubles play Stan has had a few different partners, but her recent success has come with junior Diana Toia as the two have won their last three matches. Stan is currently second all-time in school history in singles victories with 77.

Smaranda Stan

The Bulls look to begin defense of their MAC title tomorrow afternoon as they face Eastern Michigan in the Quarterfinals at 2:00 pm. UB is the second seed in this year’s tournament, while EMU comes in as the seven seed.