Ghirardato and Kovacevic Punch NCAA Ticket; First Appearance For Terps Since 2011

Thursday, November 6

Chapel Hill, NC

12 PM

Maryland

ITA Sectionals Championship

Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic at the ITA Sectionals after Punching Their Ticket for the NCAA Fall Championship

Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic Punch Their Ticket for the NCAA Doubles Championships at the ITA Sectionals

Ghirardato and Kovacevic Punch NCAA Ticket; First Appearance For Terps Since 2011

11/10/2025 10:49:00 AM | Women's Tennis

CHAPEL HILL, NC – In a big weekend for the Tennis Terps, the #3-seeded duo Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic shone in the ITA Sectionals Championship in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Their doubles victory in the Playoff 3-4 final on Sunday qualified them for the NCAA Fall Doubles Championship, which starts on Tuesday, November 18th.

In addition, Oliwia Orlinska made it to the round of 16 in singles, defeating the #4-seeded Victoria Osuigwe from NC State.

This is the first time in 14 years that a Terps duo has qualified for the Fall NCAA Tournament, a remarkable accomplishment for newcomer Terp Emma Ghirardato. The tandem went 3-1 this weekend in their matches, beating Anastasia Sysoeva and Nelly Knezkova from Syracuse, 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 in the playoff 3-4 final, to clinch their ticket to Nationals.

"We're thrilled for Ema and Emma to make it to Nationals," said Terps Head Coach Katie Dougherty. "This has been a goal of theirs all fall, and they've worked incredibly hard for this opportunity. They've improved and grown significantly as a team throughout the season, and it's been great to see that commitment rewarded."

ITA Sectionals Score Summary:

Day 1, Thursday, November 6th:

Singles:
R32: Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) def. Victoria Osuigwe [4] (NC State) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (5)

Doubles:
R16: Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic [3] (UMD) def. Candela Yecora and Romana Cisovska (Clemson) 6-3, 6-0

Day 2, Friday, November 7th:

Singles:
R16: Martina Genis Salas (UVA) def. Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles:
Quarterfinals: Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic [3] (UMD) def. Alana Boyce and Tatum Evans (UNC) 6-2, 3-6, 10-7

Day 3, Saturday, Nov. 8th:

Doubles:
Semifinals: Liv Hovde and Shavit Kimchi [1] (Duke) def. Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic [3] (UMD) 6-3, 6-2

Day 4, Sunday, Nov. 9th:

Doubles:
Playoff 3-4 Final: Emma Ghirardato and Ema Kovacevic [3] (UMD) def. Anastasia Sysoeva and Nelly Knezkova 5-7, 6-4, 10-8

Ghirardato and Kovaevic qualify for the NCAA Fall Doubles Championships

Ghirardato and Kovacevic will head to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the NCAA Doubles Fall Championship. Doubles play is set to begin on Wednesday, November 19th. Brackets will be released on Saturday, November 15th, at 6 p.m. ET. Preview and recap will be available that week.