The BGSU tennis team is ready for the challenge.

With the Mid-American Conference tournament set to begin Friday, the seventh-seeded Falcons are optimistic about their chances.

After a strong start to the season, BG struggled down the stretch losing five straight conference matches before ending the season with a 7-0 triumph over Northern Illinois.

No. 2 singles player Jenna Nussbaum said there is not as much pressure on the Falcons as there is on the other teams.

“We’re the underdogs according to our seeding and we’re ready for the challenge,” she said.

BG’s first round opponent is the Buffalo Bulls. In their only match-up of the season BG rocked Buffalo 5-2 at Toledo’s Shadow Valley Tennis and Fitness Center on March 25. After dropping the doubles point, the Falcons dominated singles competition taking five of six matches, while conceding just one single set.

Since their last meeting, though, the teams have headed in opposite directions. Buffalo won their final six conference matches on their way to a second place finish in the MAC.

“I’m excited, we got a good draw, and we already proved we can beat Buffalo,” Nussbaum said. “If we stay relaxed and confident we have a chance to make it to the finals.”

By virtue of their seventh place finish, the Falcons avoid playing MAC power and regular season champion Western Michigan until the finals.

If history repeats itself and the Falcons get past Buffalo, BG will get a rematch against Miami or Ball State.

BG lost tough 4-3 decisions to both schools a month ago and would like nothing more than to avenge those defeats.

“It’s nice that we have a chance to play the two teams we lost to by a point,” Nussbaum said. “We want to prove that we’re just as good, if not better than both of those teams.”

In a season where the program has experienced many historical moments, the Falcons would like to add another – a conference championship.