Story courtesy of Buffalo's Athletic Communications Department

BUFFALO, NY – After helping to guide the Bulls to their third Mid-American Conference Tournament championship and third NCAA Tournament appearance, University at Buffalo women's tennis associate head coach Smaranda McNerney has been named the ITA New England Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

This is the third time that McNerney has received this prestigious recognition.

"Buffalo tennis is very fortunate to have a university that continues to support two full time female coaches that have been consistently dedicated to achieving success both on and off the court," said head coach Kristen Maines. "I feel very fortunate to have had so much success with Sma throughout our entire tenure together. She is an integral part of our team and I'm so happy her success has been recognized by her peers."

McNerney helped guide the Bulls to great success in 2024-25, winning the MAC tournament title for the first time since 2018, upsetting top seed Miami (OH) in the semifinals before taking down Northern Illinois in the championship match. The team recorded a 20-8 overall record, tying the program record for the second time in three years. Overall, the team was 109-46 in singles with five recording 15 or more singles victories.

Individually, Esmee Andresen was named First-Team All-MAC. Off the court, UB had four players earn Academic All-MAC honors while three members of the squad were named to the Academic All-District team.