COLUMBUS, OH – The #7-seeded University of Maryland women's tennis team defeated the #10-seeded Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament 4-2.

In the doubles round, the Wildcats earned the point after winning the first two doubles matches 6-4, and 6-4.

In singles, the Terps took back the lead almost immediately, with 2 set wins from Emma Ghirardato, Oliwia Orlinska, and Diya Challa.

Up 3-2, it all came down to the freshmen Lucia Donnelly and Magdalena Baniak, who forced third sets after falling in the first.

To clinch, Lucia Donnelly won her third set, 6-2, to propel the Terps to a 4-2 victory!

Magdalena Baniak's match went unfinished. The match was called after the clinch.

This is now the second consecutive season the Terps have made it to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

With this win, Maryland now ties this year's team for the most wins in a season. This was last accomplished in 2023, when the Terps went 17-9.

Tomorrow, the Terps will face off against #2-seeded USC tomorrow at 2 PM.


BREAKING DOWN THE ACTION

Doubles Competition 


1. #38 Erica Jessel/Margot Phanthala (NU_WTEN) def. #61 Diya Challa/Emma Ghirardato (UMD) 6-4 

2. Neena Feldman/Marelie Raath (NU) vs. Tamari Gagoshidze/Ema Kovacevic (UMD) 5-4, unfinished 

3. Mika Dagan Fruchtman/Autumn Rabjohns (NU) def. Oliwia Orlinska/Aida Eissa (UMD) 6-4



Singles Competition 

1. Emma Ghirardato (UMD) def. #88 Margot Phanthala (NU) 6-3, 6-0 

2. #111 Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) def. Neena Feldman (NU) 7-5, 6-2 

3. Autumn Rabjohns (NU) vs. Magdalena Baniak (UMD) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 3-3, unfinished 

4. Diya Challa (UMD) def. Erica Jessel (NU) 6-4, 6-4 

5. Mika Dagan Fruchtman (NU) def. Tamari Gagoshidze (UMD) 6-4, 6-4 

6. Lucia Donnelly (UMD) def. Marelie Raath (NU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2


UP NEXT

The Terps will face off against #2-seeded USC tomorrow at 2 PM on B1G +

Magdalena Baniak's unreal between-the-legs shot!
https://x.com/TerpTennis/status/2047683749995757773?s=20