SEATTLE, WA. – With 16 of the top teams in women’s college tennis all in Seattle for the playing of the 2023 ITA Division I Women’s National Team Indoor Championship, some of the best players and most storied programs were on full display during an opening day of play that saw lots of upsets across the draw.
Starting bright and early at both the Nordstrom Tennis Center as well as the Seattle Tennis Club, Georgia and Stanford (5) as well as Auburn and Ohio State (6) were the first teams to hit the court at the 2023 National Team Indoor Championships.
Kicking things off with Ohio State, the Buckeyes were able to jump out to an early lead in doubles play and carried that momentum with them throughout the rest of the match. Winning in singles from courts three, four, and five, Ohio State clinched the match and their spot in the Quarterfinals after a dominant showing in the opening round.
In the other morning match, it was a real slugfest between Stanford (5) and Georgia. After Georgia took the doubles point, both teams fought hard in singles winning two matches apiece before the Bulldogs were able to pull off the first upset of the day as Lea Ma (Georgia) beat Connie Ma (Stanford) from the No. 1 position.
Moving toward the afternoon, the next round of matches on court featured Texas A&M (3) and San Diego at the Seattle Tennis Club as well as Duke (4) and Oklahoma at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.
Beginning with Texas A&M, the Aggies jumped out to an early lead by winning doubles but were in a real fight in singles as San Diego won a set on four of the six singles courts. Earning their second and third points from the No. 1 and No. 6 position, Texas A&M was able to close out the match on court four as Mia Kupres won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to clinch the match.
The 2022 ITA National Team Indoor Championship Finalists, Oklahoma, were another unseeded team to find success on the opening day of play. The Sooners cruised to the doubles victory before winning in straight sets on courts three, five, and six to seal the match.
After this excitement, it was Michigan and Virginia (7) next up at the Seattle Tennis Club and Iowa State and Vanderbilt (8) at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.
As one of the top teams of the 2023 dual match season through a month of play, Michigan continued their streak of dominance in Seattle, beating Virginia 4-2 in today’s opening round. After winning the doubles point, the Wolverines earned wins on courts one, two, and three to fend off a very tough test from this Cavalier team.
At Nordstrom, another upset was brewing as Iowa State was looking to continue its cinderella story at this year’s Indoor Championships. Winning the lone doubles point, the Cyclones handled every one of Vanderbilt’s blows with grace and were able to secure a 4-3 victory over the Commodores to earn their spot into the Quarterfinals.
In the nightcap, North Carolina (2) took on Pepperdine, while hosts Washington faced off with Texas (1) across town.
Three-time defending Indoor Champions, North Carolina, continued their winning ways today, taking down a very talented Pepperdine team in the opening round of play. Winning the doubles point over the Waves, the Tar Heels picked up wins from courts one, four, and six to clinch the match while keeping their hopes for a four-peat alive.
The final match off for the day was Texas and Washington at the Nordstrom Tennis Center. With Texas taking the doubles point, Washington had the top-seeded team on the ropes in singles play, winning four first sets across the six singles courts. However, the fight wasn’t enough to bounce the Longhorns tonight as they picked up a 4-0 victory to move on to the Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal action continues tomorrow here from Seattle. First serve will once again be at 9 am (PT) from the Seattle Tennis Club and the Nordstrom Tennis Center. Be sure to keep up with all of the action through social media as well as the Cracked Racquet YouTube Page.
Scroll below for a complete recap of today’s opening round of play:
Opening Round Results
- Georgia Def. (5) Stanford 4-2 | Box Score
- (6) Ohio State Def. Auburn 4-0 | Box Score
- Oklahoma Def. (4) Duke 4-2 | Box Score
- (3) Texas A&M Def. San Diego 4-0 | Box Score
- Iowa State Def. (8) Vanderbilt 4-3 | Box Score
- Michigan Def. (7) Virginia 4-2 | Box Score
- (1) Texas Def. Washington | Box Score
- (2) North Carolina Def. Pepperdine 4-2 | Box Score
