Chiselwa Sandala- 23 sports
The Missouri Tigers tennis team finished off their fall season with 11 wins at the ITA Central Regionals Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa. The Tigers earned 10 wins in singles and one doubles win as well.
In pre-season competition back in September, all eyes were on Bronte Murgett and Marta Olivera who both played exceptionally well in the 2020-21 season. The pair finished 31st nationally and ranked third among SEC pairs. The hype surrounding Murgett in Columbia remains valid because she is the first Mizzou player to receive a victory in the NCAA tournament.
At the ITA regional tournament, Emelie Schwarte and Gabrela Marinez showed that even though it was their first appearance, they have what it takes to have all eyes on them. Both Schwarte and Martinez set career firsts by advancing to the singles main draw.
In singles play, Schwarte beat Myroslava Zelenchuk 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-3 and advanced to the Round of 64. In doubles Martinez/Schwarte beat Tarajova/Shikanova 6-3 and advanced to the Round of 32.
Valentina Vazquez and Elys Ventura lost to Danilchenko/Lu in Round of 64, 6-1. Vazquez and Martinez both lost in the first round in the back draw, but Ventura held onto the Tiger spirit and advanced on in singles.
Ventura went the farthest in the single back draw making it to the semifinals. Ventura beat Madison Gallegos, 5-1, Lenka Stara (6-1, 3-6,11-9) and Leonor Oliveria (6-4, 6-2).
The Tigers gave it all their all this fall season and will return January for the spring season.
