The fall season has been a shining moment for Penn women’s tennis, with standout performances in various Intercollegiate Tennis Association events and other competitions. Let’s take a closer look at their journey so far.
Kicking off the season at the Penn Invite, the Quakers made a strong statement. Three singles players, including freshman Esha Velaga, won all four of their matches, remaining undefeated. Velaga also showcased her skills in doubles, emerging victorious in each of her matches.
Velaga continued to impress at the Tribe Invitational, where she secured a first-place finish in the Green Bracket. Junior Eileen Wang also made her mark, winning the Silver Bracket. These achievements set the stage for the team’s participation in the ITA All-American Championships.
At the ITA All-American Championships, the competition was fierce, but junior Gavriella Smith stood out by winning one of her singles matchups. The team then moved on to the ITA Northeast Regionals, where multiple players fought hard but couldn’t advance past the round of 32 in singles. However, the doubles pairs of Iris Gallo and Wang, as well as Maya Urata and Velaga, made it to the round of 16.
In the thrilling ITA Super Regionals, Velaga continued her winning streak and reached the final of her bracket. In a captivating match against her older sister Neha, representing Princeton, Velaga emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-0, and was crowned the singles champion. Smith also showcased her skills but fell short in the quarterfinals.
Although conference play is still a few months away, Penn women’s tennis has already demonstrated the strength of their team. Velaga’s impressive performance at the Super Regionals has earned her a spot in the ITA Fall Nationals in San Diego next month, where she will compete for the crown. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the Quakers!