Rana Claims Match Point as Women's Tennis Brings Home Impressive 6-1 Victory over Navy

Sunday, February 1

South Bend, Ind.

10 am

Ball State University

Navy (Will be played in South Bend, Ind.)

Rana Claims Match Point as Women's Tennis Brings Home Impressive 6-1 Victory over Navy

February 01, 2026 | Women's Tennis

Final Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Ball State women's tennis team (1-1) secured their first victory of the 2026 spring season Sunday afternoon (4-2) with a dominant 6-1 performance against Navy at the Eck Tennis Pavilion in South Bend.

The Cardinals opened the doubles competition with aggressive net play that led to the Cardinals jumping out to an early 1-0 advantage after clinching the doubles point. The Cardinals' top tandem of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco, who entered the spring following a historic 13-1 fall campaign, provided the critical anchor needed for the early advantage. The duo breezed through their top court victory with a 6-2 defeat over Olivia Fermo and Nicole FU.

Although, the No. 3 doubles tandem of Asia Fontana and Sydney Hrehor competition was closer the duo pulled through with the 6-4 win to claim the early team point. It was a good way for Hrehor to re-enter the lineup after recently recovering from an injury.

The Cardinals continued their momentum into singles play, winning five of the six available matches. Freshman Priyanka Rana, an Ahmedabad, India native who joined the program this year with international doubles titles already to her name, delivered the match-clinching point. Competing at No. 3 singles, Rana handled her Navy opponent to secure the fourth team point, effectively sealing the first victory of the 2026 season for Ball State.

Alan Bristow along with teammate Shahbaz each earned victories in straight sets on courts one and two, respectively while Rana won her three-set thriller at the No. 3 slot. Asia Fontana and Tanjuatco rounded out today's singles success each winning in a two-set super tiebreak at the No. 4 and 5 positions.

The Ball State women's tennis team will host in-state rival Butler Friday for its home opener. The match is set to begin at 3 pm ET at the First Serve Muncie Tennis Center.