Staff Directory
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 716-645-6975
One of the fiercest competitors in UB tennis history, Smaranda Stan McNerney begins her 13th season as a full-time coach in 2025-26 and her ninth as associate head coach. It is her 14th year on the staff, after serving as a volunteer assistant in 2011-12.
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 players that had 15 or more singles victories.
The 2022-23 season was a historic one for the Bulls as they compiled a 20-8 overall record, a new single-season record. The Bulls earned the number three seed in the MAC Tournament, the highest finish since the 2017-18 season. Overall, the team was 122-70 in singles with five players that had 15 or more singles victories. The team was also 51-39 overall in doubles action. Following the season she was named the ITA Northeast Regional Coach of the Year for the second time in her career.
The 2019-20 season was one of the most impressive for the Bulls before it was cut short due to the COVID-19 situation. With a roster that consisted of five new players, the Bulls were 10-2 in dual action. Overall, the team was 93-32 in singles with three players that had 15 or more singles victories. The team was also 42-21 overall in doubles action.
The 2017-18 season was the most productive in school history as Buffalo went 17-4 on the season, including a perfect 8-0 in the Mid-American Conference. UB won its first ever MAC Regular Season Title and won the Tournament crown for a second straight year. The Bulls entered the NCAA Tournament with a 14-match winning streak, tied for second best in the nation. The Bulls finished the year with a 145-49 record in singles action, including four players with over 20 wins, and 60-26 in doubles.
In 2016-17, Stan McNerney took on an increased role with head coach Kristen Maines on maternity leave, and she helped lead the Bulls to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Following the season she was named the ITA Northeast Regional Coach of the Year.
In 2015-16, Stan McNerney helped led the Bulls to another successful season, narrowly missing a trip to the MAC Championship after a 4-3 defeat by the eventual MAC Champion Ball State in the MAC Semifinals. The Bulls went 14-8 on the year, including 5-3 in conference play. They were the only team during the regular season to defeat Ball State. Following the season, Tanja Stojanovska was named to the All-MAC First Team and Chantal Martinez Blanco was named to the All-MAC Second Team.
Stan McNerney helped coach the Bulls to a 10-match winning streak to open the 2012-13 season that culminated with a Mid-American Conference Tournament appearance. The following season, she helped guide UB to its first MAC Tournament semifinal since 2009-10. The Bulls' season ended with a 15-6 record, the most victories since 2006-07. Most recently, Stan McNerney coached the Bulls to another postseason appearance in 2014-15, while guiding Stojanovska to MAC Freshman of the Year honors.
In addition to volunteering during 2011-12, Stan McNerney worked as a tennis pro at the Miller Tennis Center. She has remained active in the Buffalo tennis community, being named Buffalo Tennis Series Player of the Year three times (2011, 2012, 2014).
Stan McNerney concluded her UB career ranked third in school history with 79 singles wins and 10th with 34 doubles victories. During her junior season, Stan McNerney won all three clinching points as she led the Bulls to their first MAC Tournament Championship title and UB's only NCAA Tournament appearance. She was honored as the Most Valuable Player at the 2008 MAC Championships. Stan McNerney was team captain in 2008 and 2009, where she was awarded the ITA East Region Cissie Laeary Award for Sportsmanship following her senior year.
Prior to coming to Buffalo, Stan McNerney was one of the Top 7 players in Romania in 2003 and 2004 and was one of the Top 700 according to the International Tennis Federation.
Stan McNerney graduated from UB in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and she is currently pursuing her Master's in Higher Education.
