Women’s Tennis Dominates Butler in 2026 Home Opener at First Serve Muncie Friday

Friday, February 6

Muncie, Ind.

3 pm

Ball State University

Butler University

Women’s Tennis Dominates Butler in 2026 Home Opener at First Serve Muncie Friday

February 06, 2026 | Women's Tennis

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's tennis team secured a 6-1 victory over in-state rival Butler Friday afternoon in their home opener at the First Serve Muncie Tennis Center.

The win improves the Cardinals' record to 2-1 on the season as they continue their historical dominance over the Bulldogs while Butler drops to 3-5 on the season.

"Great win for us today," Ball State head women's tennis coach Sachin Kirtane said. "I thought the girls played great. I think we set the tone with the doubles point and then I think our number three and five singles played well too. Obviously, a great win for Sarah to beat a very good player 6-0, 6-0 and then I think Asia and Priyanka follow through to clinch the match along with comeback wins from Izzy and Alana. The dominating 6-1 win has us looking forward to our trip to East Lansing Sunday as we face Michigan State."

The No. 1 doubles tandem of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco continued their undefeated spring campaign, winning their third consecutive match at the top spot. This follows their recent recognition as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Doubles Team of the Week and their 87th ITA national ranking. The duo was the first to exit the court after cruising past Butler's Chase Metcalf and Brooke Arrington, 6-1.

The Cardinals' No. 2 doubles team of Alana Bristow and Gabriella Barrera played a pivotal role in claiming Ball State's first point of the match as the duo breezed through their competition by a 6-2 decision versus Sienna Miles and Sophie Parr.

Shahbaz dominated at No. 1 singles with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win against Metcalf. At the No. 3 slot, Priyana Rana added a straight-set victory to give the Cardinals a 3-0 advantage.

After that, senior transfer Asia Ting Fontana delivered the deciding blow for the Cardinals, earning the match-clinching point in singles play on court No. 5.

Even with the Cardinals' victory already decided, Bristow fought back to win her second set on court two. On court four, Tanjuatco pulled off a comeback after dropping her first frame which sent the match to an extra set eventually beating Butler's Parr, 4-6. 6-1, 6-2.

The Ball State women's tennis team will take its two-match win streak to Big Ten foe Michigan State Sunday where they will face the Spartans at 2 pm ET.