The Texas A&M women’s tennis team makes the NCAA quarterfinals for the second straight season, after a 4-1 victory over Tennessee, Friday at the Mitchell Tennis Center. The Aggies head to the USTA National Campus in Orlando, where they will face Stanford in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, May 17.
As reported by the Texas A&M website, sending Maroon & White to Orlando was freshman Daria Smetannikov, who beat Esther Adeshina on court 5. After dropping early and losing a tight opening set, 7-5, Smetannikov responded in timely fashion, as the team faced an onslaught from Tennessee in the second set.
Under immense pressure, she went on to claim the final two sets and booked A&M’s ticket to the Elite Eight. The Aggies opened the day by claiming a dramatic double point. The Volunteers were the first aggressors, as they secured a win on Court 1.
However, No. 35 Mia Kupres/Mary Stoiana evened the teams with a comeback win over Catherine Aulia/Lauren Anzalotta on Court 3 (6- 4). With the tie-break still on court 5, it was Gianna Pielet/Jeanette Mireles who completed the job, overtaking Eleonora Molinaro/Daria Kuczer (7-6(5)).
The program’s career leader in singles hits, No. 108 Jayci Goldsmith, added another to her tally. The graduate hit back after a loss in doubles, defeating Molinaro on court 4 (6-3, 6-4), doubling the Maroon & White lead.
The team’s leader in singles wins this season, No. 2 Stoiana, continued her streak by winning her fifth straight match and 38th of the season. She dominated top 25 ranked opponent in No. 1 Elza Tomase. 21 on court 1 (6-2, 6-1), leaving A&M within one point of victory, finally allowing Smetannikov to deliver the finishing blow.
Women’s Singles Results
(TAMU) No. 2 Mary Stoiana Def. (TENN) No. 21 Elza Tomase (6-2, 6-1)
(TAMU) No. 58 Salma Ewing – (TENN) No. 27 Rebeka Mertena (7-6(2), 3-6, 3-5) unfinished
(TAMU) No. 68 Mia Kupres – (TENN) No. 48 Daria Kuczer (6-3, 2-6, 5-6) unfinished
(TAMU) No.
108 Jayci Goldsmith Def. (TENN) Eleonora Molinaro (6-3, 6-4)
(TAMU) Daria Smetannikov Def. (TENN) Esther Adeshina (5-7, 6-1, 6-4)
(TENN) Lauren Anzalotta Def. (TAMU) Jeanette Mireles – (3-6, 6-4, 6-0)
Women’s Doubles Results
(TENN) No.
45 Rebeka Mertena/Esther Adeshina Def. (TAMU) No. 22 Jayci Goldsmith/Salma Ewing (6-4)
(TAMU) No. 35 Mary Stoiana/Mia Kupres Def. (TENN) Catherine Aulia/Lauren Anzalotta (6-4)
(TAMU) Gianna Pielet/Jeanette Mireles Def. (TENN) Eleonora Molinaro/Daria Kuczer (7-6(5))
About Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University located in College Station is the fourth largest university in the United States with a 5,500-acre campus that also houses the George Bush Presidential Library.
It has two decentralized teaching sites considered integral parts of the campus: Texas A&M University at Galveston in Galveston dedicated to undergraduate marine research and Texas A&M University at Qatar in the Education City of Doha (Qatar) where undergraduate engineering courses are taught .
In partnership with the Texas state agricultural agencies, it has a direct presence in each of Texas’ 254 counties. In 2013, with a didactic offer of 150 degree courses, it hosted over 62,185 students, 5,000 of whom came from 120 different countries.
It is found in the ranking of the twenty US institutions with the largest funds allocated to research and in the 2013-2014 world ranking compiled by QS World University Rankings, Texas A&M University was in 153rd place among the major universities in the world.
