SEATTLE, WA. – After 24 matches over three days of play, the Finalists are now set at the 2023 ITA Division I Women’s National Team Indoor Championship as Georgia and North Carolina each earn victories in today’s Semifinal matches.
In front of hundreds of fans at the Nordstrom Tennis Center and thousands of fans watching through the Cracked Racquets coverage online, the highest level of college tennis was once again on full display today as both Semifinal matches were highly contested battles.
Kicking things off with a battle between two teams who have made waves this tournament, Georgia and Iowa State took center stage in the first Semifinal match in Seattle for what would be a battle that would live up to expectations.
Beginning with doubles, Georgia looked to be in total control, jumping out to 3-1 leads on courts one and three. After winning 6-2 on court one, it was a battle for the second doubles match victory, as the Bulldogs ultimately won in a tiebreak on court two to take the 1-0 lead.
Moving into singles, Georgia picked up two quick victories on courts two and five to go ahead 3-0 before Iowa State made their push. Winning in straight sets on courts three and four, the Cyclones closed the match score to 3-2 with the two remaining matches headed to a third set.
After falling 2-6 in the first set, Guillermina Grant was ultimately the difference maker in this match for Georgia as the sophomore kicked her game into a new gear after the first set winning 6-3 in the second set and 6-2 in the third set to clinch the match for the Bulldogs.
Now in the 2023 ITA Division I Women’s National Team Indoor Championship, this appearance will mark the ninth Finals appearance for the Bulldogs and they will be looking for their program’s fifth Championship tomorrow.
If fans weren’t satisfied after the first Semifinal match, the second Semifinal of the day proved to be just as electric, if not more, as North Carolina and Texas A&M had a battle of the ages to determine the second National Finalists.
In doubles, Texas A&M continued where they left off yesterday dominating across all three doubles courts to earn the early advantage over the three-time defending ITA National Team Indoor Champions.
Not letting the doubles result get them down, the Tar Heels bounced right back in singles winning in straight sets on courts one and two as Fiona Crawley and freshman Reese Brantmeier continue to impress from the top of the North Carolina lineup.
Trading three-set battles on courts five and six, the match now was coming down to courts three in four where neither team was giving an inch to their competitor.
With two ITA All-Americans battling it out on court three, Carson Tanguilig showed poise beyond her years against fellow ITA All-American Salma Ewing earning a 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (2) win to clinch the match for the Tar Heels.
Now looking for their fourth-consecutive ITA National Team Indoors Title, this Championship will be a rematch of the 2019 ITA Indoors Final which was the last Final in Seattle as well as the last Final in which North Carolina was defeated.
The Finals of the 2023 ITA Division I Women’s National Team Indoor Championship will begin at 12 pm (PT) from 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 full recap of today’s main draw and consolation draw action:
Main Draw Results:
Semifinals — Sunday, February 12
Consolations
- (7) Virginia Def. San Diego 4-1 | Box Score
- (1) Texas Def. Oklahoma 4-2 | Box Score
- Auburn Def. Pepperdine 4-2 | Box Score
- (5) Stanford Def. (8) Vanderbilt 4-2 | Box Score
- (4) Duke Def. Washington 4-1 | Box Score
- Michigan Def. (6) Ohio State 4-1 | Box Score
