Ball State University Athletics
Sunday, March 1
Muncie, Ind.
12 pm
Ball State University
6
vs
1
Cleveland State University
Ball State Women’s Tennis Cruises to 6-1 Victory Over Cleveland State
March 01, 2026 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's tennis team (6-3) continued its dominant spring stretch on Sunday, March 1, 2026, delivering a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Cleveland State (2-10) at the First Serve Tennis Center.
The Cardinals utilized a familiar formula of clinical doubles play and aggressive singles performance to secure the non-conference win.
The highlight of the afternoon came early in the double's competition. Ball State's No. 1 nationally-ranked tandem of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco—ranked No. 87 in the latest ITA standings—continued their historic run by defeating the Vikings' top pair by a score of 6-2. With this latest triumph, the duo remains undefeated in dual match play for the 2026 spring season.
"Sarah and I have been grinding lately—focusing on our health and putting in daily shot work—so it's rewarding to see that pay off with a win," Ball State junior Isabel Tanjuatco said. "Our opponents were aggressive and scrappy, but we stayed composed and neutralized their energy to close out the match. Facing such tough competition now is exactly what we need; it's teaching us how to earn victories through discipline rather than just relying on talent, which is perfect preparation as we head into the MAC tournament."
Clinching the doubles point for the Cardinals today was Asia Fontana and Sydney Hrehor who powered through a close 6-4 upset on court No. 3 against Jenna Redmile and Laura Tapia Gonzalez.
The Cardinals translated their doubles momentum into total control during singles play, fueled by a lightning-fast performance from Isabelle Tanjuatco. Tanjuatco was the first player off the court, dismantling her opponent in straight sets to extend the Ball State lead and set a relentless pace for the rest of the lineup.
Although Cleveland State briefly claimed a point, Gabby Barrera ignited the Cardinals' momentum at No. 6 singles. Barrera battled through a tense first-set tiebreaker to defeat Leah Geisz 7-6 (7-1) before securing Ball State's third team point with a clinical 6-4 victory in the second set.
With the Cardinals leading 3-1, Alana Bristow delivered the knockout blow on the top court. Bristow rallied from a set down to win a three-set thriller 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, officially securing the match point for BSU. Priyanka Rana and Asia Ting Fontana followed suit with victories of their own, finalizing the dominant 6-1 scoreline.
The Ball State women's tennis team will play two more non-conference matches before Mid-American Conference action begins when it travels to Western Kentucky on March 5 at 2 pm ET and Bellarmine on March 7 with a noon first serve.
The Cardinals utilized a familiar formula of clinical doubles play and aggressive singles performance to secure the non-conference win.
The highlight of the afternoon came early in the double's competition. Ball State's No. 1 nationally-ranked tandem of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco—ranked No. 87 in the latest ITA standings—continued their historic run by defeating the Vikings' top pair by a score of 6-2. With this latest triumph, the duo remains undefeated in dual match play for the 2026 spring season.
"Sarah and I have been grinding lately—focusing on our health and putting in daily shot work—so it's rewarding to see that pay off with a win," Ball State junior Isabel Tanjuatco said. "Our opponents were aggressive and scrappy, but we stayed composed and neutralized their energy to close out the match. Facing such tough competition now is exactly what we need; it's teaching us how to earn victories through discipline rather than just relying on talent, which is perfect preparation as we head into the MAC tournament."
Clinching the doubles point for the Cardinals today was Asia Fontana and Sydney Hrehor who powered through a close 6-4 upset on court No. 3 against Jenna Redmile and Laura Tapia Gonzalez.
The Cardinals translated their doubles momentum into total control during singles play, fueled by a lightning-fast performance from Isabelle Tanjuatco. Tanjuatco was the first player off the court, dismantling her opponent in straight sets to extend the Ball State lead and set a relentless pace for the rest of the lineup.
Although Cleveland State briefly claimed a point, Gabby Barrera ignited the Cardinals' momentum at No. 6 singles. Barrera battled through a tense first-set tiebreaker to defeat Leah Geisz 7-6 (7-1) before securing Ball State's third team point with a clinical 6-4 victory in the second set.
With the Cardinals leading 3-1, Alana Bristow delivered the knockout blow on the top court. Bristow rallied from a set down to win a three-set thriller 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, officially securing the match point for BSU. Priyanka Rana and Asia Ting Fontana followed suit with victories of their own, finalizing the dominant 6-1 scoreline.
The Ball State women's tennis team will play two more non-conference matches before Mid-American Conference action begins when it travels to Western Kentucky on March 5 at 2 pm ET and Bellarmine on March 7 with a noon first serve.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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