After earning its 18th regular season conference title, the No. 1 seeded Miami University tennis team is set to do battle in the quarterfinal round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament in DeKalb, Ill. The RedHawks will face the winner of the match between No. 8 seeded University of Toledo (UT) and the ninth-seeded Ball State University (BSU).

If the ’Hawks are able to win the tournament, it will be their third tournament title in four years. The ’Hawks are also seeking retribution in the postseason, as their 2011 tournament run ended with a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the University of Akron, who also hold the No.2 seed in 2012.

The Red and White concluded the regular season with a 7-0 sweep of the Cardinals, and they also defeated the Rockets earlier this season 5-2 March 30.

“I am really proud of this team and their attitude out there through this year,” Head Coach Anca Dumitrescu said. “We are happy to win the regular season MAC title but more importantly I just want to see the players improve each day and fulfill their potential as players and as individuals. That is more important than any titles, and as long as we focus on that and continue to do that, victories will come.”

Miami (12-9, 8-0 MAC) is riding the momentum of a eight-match winning streak this season, due to the stellar play of senior Stephanie Danesis and freshman Christine Guerrazzi. Danesis is rolling on an eight-game run of victories in singles play, while pushing her career wins total to 153, which is tied for the most in program history. Guerrazzi has also put together a tremendous season, going 19-10 on the season as well as winning 9 of her last 10 matches.

“Over the past semester, our team has grown closer and stronger. We have been practicing hard and it has paid off so far,” Guerrazzi said. “We are all so ready for the MAC Tournament and hopefully we can bring all the hard work together and end up with the win.”

The RedHawks also have tremendous players in doubles, as senior Rieke Honiball and sophomore Nimisha Mohan earned a 8-2 win against BSU last weekend.

Ball State (5-15, 0-8 MAC) went winless in league play for the third time since 1989 in a shutout against MU last weekend. They come into the tournament with high aspirations though, as sensational freshman Courtney Wild seeks to continue her success as she is 20-12 on the season. The ninth-seeded Cardinals will have to face Toledo 1 p.m. Thursday.

The No. 8 seeded Rockets (9-12, 2-6 MAC) were defeated 4-3 by Bowling Green State University. In the loss, UT’s lone senior Kelsey Anonsen fought valiantly against the Falcons, as she teamed up with freshman Lexi Pitt for a 8-3 victory and powered her way to a 6-5, 6-2 decision.

The RedHawks match starts 11 a.m. Friday on the campus of Northern Illinois University. If they continue their winning ways, they will play again 11 a.m. Saturday in the semifinals for a chance at a MAC championship 2 p.m. Sunday.