A record-breaking season wasn’t enough to end a 16-year streak.
The women’s tennis America East championship came to an end last weekend. The tournament saw the Binghamton Bearcats fall to 15-time defending champion Boston University, 4-1, in the finals. It was the fifth consecutive year that Binghamton made the finals but also their fifth failed attempt at ending Boston’s 16-year reign as the best in women’s tennis.
The Bearcats broke their single-season record for team wins after compiling a 17-4 record, breaking the previous record of 16 set in the 2004-05 season.
Binghamton’s head coach Mike Stevens was named AE Coach of the Year on Wednesday to highlight the conference awards given out this year. Five Bearcats players earned All-Conference honors.
Sophomore Yulia Smirnova received a First Team All-Conference selection for performance at No. 3 singles while freshman Yagmur Gone earned First Team honors for her performance at No. 5 singles. Sophomore and top player Lauren Bates (above) earned Second Team honors for both her play at first singles and first doubles with freshman Jillian Santos.
The Bearcats’ season is officially over, but their prospects for next season look good as all players on the roster are scheduled to return next season.