Three Bulls Earn All-MAC Honors

Diana Popescu named MAC Co-Freshman of the Year

Diana Popescu

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s tennis team received postseason honors by the Mid-American Conference on Thursday night as three Bulls were honored at the postseason banquet. Diana Popescu (Alexandria, Romania/AL. I. Cuza) was named the MAC’s Co-Freshman of the Year, senior Andreea Novaceanu (Bucharest, Romania/Emil Racovita) was named to the All-MAC First Team and sophomore Denise Harijanto (Jakarta, Indonesia) was named to the All-MAC Second Team.

Popescu joined Miami’s Anastasia Dracheva as the Co-Freshman of the Year after an outstanding season for the Bulls. Popescu is currently tied for the team lead in singles victories with 24 playing at both the second and third spot on the singles ladder. Popescu also formed quite a dangerous doubles combination with Harijanto as they had a 6-2 record in first doubles during MAC play. The Bulls have now won the MAC Freshman of the Year award three times in the last five years.

Andreea Novaceanu

Novaceanu picked up her fourth straight postseason honor from the MAC and her third first-team selection. Playing at first singles all season, Novaceanu collected a 19-10 record with a 5-3 mark in the MAC. Novaceanu was also a perfect 4-0 in the MAC when teamed up with fellow senior Tina Jacob (Singapore/Raffles JC) at third doubles. Earlier this season, Novaceanu was ranked the 21st best player in the East by the ITA and sportswear company, Fila.

Harijanto was named to the All-MAC Second Team for the second straight season as she completed yet another stellar season. Harijanto has a 19-9 mark in singles play, including a 6-2 mark in the MAC as she split time between second and third singles. In doubles play, Harijanto and Popescu had an outstanding season at first doubles.

Denise Harijanto

The Bulls begin their search for a MAC Title tomorrow afternoon as they face Toledo in the quarterfinals. The match is scheduled for 2:00 pm and will take place at the Ellicott Tennis Courts.

04/24/2008