Ball State University Athletics
Friday, February 20
West Lafayette, IN
1 pm
Ball State University
0
at
7
Purdue University
Photo by: Ball State University
Women’s Tennis Shows Grit in Road Battle Against Purdue
February 20, 2026 | Women's Tennis
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Ball State University women's tennis (4-3) team faced a formidable challenge on Friday afternoon, dropping a 7-0 decision to regional rival Purdue University (3-4) at the Schwartz Tennis Center.
"Today was a fantastic battle, and the final score truly doesn't reflect how competitive we were across the board," said Head Coach Sachin Kirtane. "We had a legitimate shot at the doubles point, and while Purdue did a great job seizing early leads in singles, I was impressed by how we fought our way back. If a few deuce points had swung our way, we would have seen third sets on almost every court. It was a quick, tricky turnaround after Wednesday's match against Cincinnati, but I'm incredibly proud of our grit and the way the girls competed. Now, we need to focus on recovery, so we're fully prepared for an extremely talented Cornell team on Sunday."
Despite the final score, the Cardinals demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit against a high-caliber Big Ten opponent as they continue their demanding spring campaign.
The match served as a valuable benchmark for the Cardinals, who entered the contest with momentum following a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Cincinnati earlier this week. Facing a Power Four program on the road, Ball State utilized the opportunity to test their lineup and gain experience against top-tier competition.
The Cardinals showed great resolve in doubles play against Purdue. Isabel Tanjuatco and Anya Tkachyk fell just short in a 7-5 battle at the No. 3 position, while the No. 1 duo of Alana Bristow and Gabreilla Barrera were barely trailing 6-5 when their match was abandoned due to Purdue clinching the doubles point.
In singles play, the Cardinals pushed the Boilermakers to the limit as Tanjuatco, Barrera, and Jemima Williams-Phillips all surged to take sets, forcing three of the four courts into high-stakes two-set tiebreakers.
The Cardinals will look to bounce back immediately as they host Cornell University this Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. ET. The team invites all fans to come out to the First Serve Tennis Center to support the squad.
Final Results:
DOUBLES
1. Kathryn Wilson / Ashlie Wilson (PUR) vs. Alana Bristow / Gabriella Barrera (BSU): 6-5, UF
2. Ece Gencer / Ida Clement (PUR) def. Sydney Hrehor / Asia Ting Fontana (BSU): 6-3
3. Kayal Gownder / Fatima Gutierrez (PUR) def. Isabel Tanjuatco / Anya Tkachyk (BSU): 7-5
4.
SINGLES
1. #117 Ece Gencer (PUR) def. Alana Bristow (BSU): 6-1, 6-4
2. Ida Clement (PUR) def. Priyanka Rana (BSU): 6-1, 6-1
3. Fatima Gutierrez (PUR) def. Isabel Tanjuatco (BSU): 4-6, 6-2, 10-2
4. Kayal Gownder (PUR) def. Asia Ting Fontana (BSU): 6-2, 6-2
5. Kathryn Wilson (PUR) def. Gabriella Barrera (BSU): 4-6, 7-5, 10-5
6. Ashlie Wilson (PUR) def. Jemima Williams-Phillips (BSU): 7-6(5), 4-6, 10-8
Order of Finish
Doubles: 2, 3
Singles: 2, 1, 4, 5, 3, 6
"Today was a fantastic battle, and the final score truly doesn't reflect how competitive we were across the board," said Head Coach Sachin Kirtane. "We had a legitimate shot at the doubles point, and while Purdue did a great job seizing early leads in singles, I was impressed by how we fought our way back. If a few deuce points had swung our way, we would have seen third sets on almost every court. It was a quick, tricky turnaround after Wednesday's match against Cincinnati, but I'm incredibly proud of our grit and the way the girls competed. Now, we need to focus on recovery, so we're fully prepared for an extremely talented Cornell team on Sunday."
Despite the final score, the Cardinals demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit against a high-caliber Big Ten opponent as they continue their demanding spring campaign.
The match served as a valuable benchmark for the Cardinals, who entered the contest with momentum following a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Cincinnati earlier this week. Facing a Power Four program on the road, Ball State utilized the opportunity to test their lineup and gain experience against top-tier competition.
The Cardinals showed great resolve in doubles play against Purdue. Isabel Tanjuatco and Anya Tkachyk fell just short in a 7-5 battle at the No. 3 position, while the No. 1 duo of Alana Bristow and Gabreilla Barrera were barely trailing 6-5 when their match was abandoned due to Purdue clinching the doubles point.
In singles play, the Cardinals pushed the Boilermakers to the limit as Tanjuatco, Barrera, and Jemima Williams-Phillips all surged to take sets, forcing three of the four courts into high-stakes two-set tiebreakers.
The Cardinals will look to bounce back immediately as they host Cornell University this Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. ET. The team invites all fans to come out to the First Serve Tennis Center to support the squad.
Final Results:
DOUBLES
1. Kathryn Wilson / Ashlie Wilson (PUR) vs. Alana Bristow / Gabriella Barrera (BSU): 6-5, UF
2. Ece Gencer / Ida Clement (PUR) def. Sydney Hrehor / Asia Ting Fontana (BSU): 6-3
3. Kayal Gownder / Fatima Gutierrez (PUR) def. Isabel Tanjuatco / Anya Tkachyk (BSU): 7-5
4.
SINGLES
1. #117 Ece Gencer (PUR) def. Alana Bristow (BSU): 6-1, 6-4
2. Ida Clement (PUR) def. Priyanka Rana (BSU): 6-1, 6-1
3. Fatima Gutierrez (PUR) def. Isabel Tanjuatco (BSU): 4-6, 6-2, 10-2
4. Kayal Gownder (PUR) def. Asia Ting Fontana (BSU): 6-2, 6-2
5. Kathryn Wilson (PUR) def. Gabriella Barrera (BSU): 4-6, 7-5, 10-5
6. Ashlie Wilson (PUR) def. Jemima Williams-Phillips (BSU): 7-6(5), 4-6, 10-8
Order of Finish
Doubles: 2, 3
Singles: 2, 1, 4, 5, 3, 6
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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