From surprise upsets to down to the wire matches, the 2023 ITA Women’s National Indoor Championship had it all. So today we’ll recap the tournaments most enthralling moments and matches and explain how the University of North Carolina were able to battle past it all and leave Seattle with the title.
Day One Highlights
An Upsetting Upset: Georgia def. Stanford 4-2
With so many highs and lows, the matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Stanford Cardinals was a nonstop rollercoaster ride till the very end. After falling into an early deficit in doubles, Georgia would quickly regroup to capture the matches first point. Now moving into singles, Stanford would once again take the early lead as they would claim first sets on courts #1, #3, #5, #6. And with Stanford then leveling the match with a win from Angelica Blake, it looked for a moment as if Georgia’s opportunities to advance had slipped away. Yet just as it did in doubles, the Cardinals’ lead would essentially evaporate. With Georgia gaining wins on courts #2 and #4, and, capturing second sets on courts #1 and #5, momentum would once again shift in favor of the Bulldogs. Ultimately it would be Lea Ma, whose comeback performance would seal the deal for Georgia and advance them to the quarterfinals. And though a wonderful display of effort by the Bulldogs, this was a somewhat disappointing showing for the Cardinals. Returning to Indoors for the first time since 2020 expectations were high for this Stanford team. But having barely played any matches prior to the tournament and with what we can assume minimal indoor practices, it was clear that Stanford just was not prepared to handle all that was thrown at them on this day.
The Boomer Block: Oklahoma def. Duke 4-2
A team with a bit of history, Oklahoma showed just what they were made of in their opening round against Duke. Having not lost a point in doubles yet for the season, the Sooners would open play with dominate wins on courts #2 and #3. Their energy would then continue throughout singles play, as they would end the day with three straight set wins on courts #3, #5, and #6. Somewhat of a must win situation for the Sooners, as their season so far has not yet matched the standards they had set in the previous year. While, in the case of Duke, lack of intensive match scheduling and line up switches can be to blame for the Blue Devils falling short. However all is not lost for this Duke team, because with a roster of mostly upperclassman and grad transfers, their depth is quite apparent, now it is just waiting for all the pieces to properly fall into place.
Down to the Wire: Iowa State def. Vanderbilt 4-3
The only 4-3 match of the day would go the way of Iowa State.After a dominant display in doubles, Iowa would quickly go up 2-0 before having their momentum suddenly snapped. Rallying from the behind ,Vandebilt would fire off three consecutive match victories on courts #1, #5 and #6. Coming down to the final two courts, third set wins from Iowa’s Miska Kadleckova and Chie Kezuka would caputlat the Cyclones into the quarterfinals. An outstanding day of play for the first timers, much of their success falls upon their overall grit and willingness to go “toe to toe” with any opponent. While for Vanderbilt, this loss somewhat halts the recent waves they have made during the early half of the season. The 4-3 victory over North Carolina State would have had one assuming that the team had reached a major turning point, but it seems like they still have a long way to go before they return to the caliber that once brought them NCAA championship level success.
A Tarheel Tidal Wave: UNC def. Pepperdine 4-2
A first round matchup that really raised some eyebrows, no. 2 North Carolina would close out the first day of play by facing off with Pepperdine.Two teams with a lot of history, previous encounters have created some of the season’s best matches. So this one on its surface presented itself to be headed for the same fate. However, even with a 4-2 scoreline it was a fairly subdued win for the Tar Heels. After picking up the doubles point and a quick lineup change, UNC performance remained exceptional, as Pepperdine did not have the depth required to counter the Heels.
Day Two
More Questions than Answers: Georgia def. Oklahoma 5-2
The Bulldogs could not have played a better match. After snapping the Sooners doubles point streak, the Dogs would fire off wins from #1 through #4 singles. An exceptional victory for Georgia, it does however, raise some questions surrounding Oklahoma and where they stand in college tennis. Since their meteoric rise in 2022, the Sooners have struggled to match these results. Now, it would be unfair to completely shut the door on them and their season, as their win against Duke proves that they still have their fiery spark. It really all comes down to whether or not they can get said spark to appear on a consistent basis, and after today’s performance, Oklahoma fans will unfortunately still be left to wonder.
Rivarleis Rising: Iowa State def Texas
Talk about an upset, these conference foes faced off for the first time at Indoors. Historically Texas has always gotten the better of Iowa State, yet it seems like the Cyclones have finally turned a corner. Snapping off a 4-1 victory , the Longhorns just could not find any solutions to Iowa’s relentless play style. Texas will now leave Seattle with another year of regressive play at the championship, but if their season ends up being anything like last years, it should not really affect them in the long run. Now for Iowa State this match will really add fire to their engine, because with conference play right around the corner, this is the exact energy they will need to bring throughout the remainder of their season.
Day Three
Stopping the Surge: Georgia def Iowa State 4-2
The Bulldogs were just too good for the Cyclones as they beat them 4-2 . A valiant effort however from Iowa State, because even after dropping the doubles point, they continued to fight with with an impeccable amount of grit and resilience throughout the entirety of singles. But in the end the Bulldogs would be just too much for these newcomers. With this win now behind them, Georgia returns to the finals for the first time since 2019. Last time they won the title, so let’s see if they can do it again.
Cutting it Close: UNC defeats Texas A&M 4-2
A third set tiebreak would seal the deal for the Tar Heels and send them to the finals for the 8th straight year. Starting off the match slow by dropping the doubles point, it seemed like A&M came out the gate ready to cut UNC’s trip in Seattle short. Luckily for the Heels #1 Fiona Crawley was able to dispatch Carson Branstine in straight sets and with the score now set at 1-1 it seemed like a pathway to four was beginning to emerge. Beside Reese Brantmeier, the rest of the North Carolina squad would be locked in a three set battle and ultimately it would be Carson Tanguilig whose narrow victory against A&M’s Salma Ewing would clinch the match for the Heels.
Day Four
History in the Making: UNC def. Georgia 4-0
The UNC Tarheels could not have asked for a better finish at Indoors. With a 4-0 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs, the Tarheels have officially cemented themselves in collegiate tennis history, becoming the first women’s program to capture the Indoor title four times in a row. Yet, even with the lopsided score line, the early stages of the match were not easy for the Heels. With the #2 doubles teams dropping their set and with the #3 facing numerus match points, the openings hour of the match was almost entirely in Georgia’s favors. So, whether by some miracle or just by pure will the #3 tandem of Abbey Forbes and Reilly Tran were able to save all three match points and keep their team’s chances alive. Realizing their opportunity both, the #1 and #3 doubles teams were able to buckle down and earn UNC the first point of the day. Afterwards it was basically smooth sailing for the Heels as they had an almost waterfall like slate of victories come in from the #5, #3, and #4 positions. After this weekend’s performance it is almost certain that UNC will once again regain the number 1 leaving the team with only one more hurdle to overcome, and we all know exactly what that is.
