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.
