In recent news from Stillwater, Oklahoma, the University of Texas’s Women’s Tennis senior, Malaika Rapolu, ranked at No. 20, has advanced to the NCAA Singles Championships Round of 32. This achievement was made possible as she defeated Georgia Tech’s No. 1 player and the nation’s No. 38 ranked player, Carol Lee, with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (5). On the same day, graduate No. 42 Tanya Sasnouskaya unfortunately fell in the Round of 64 to 8 seed No. 10 Alexa Noel of Miami with a score of 6-2, 7-5.
During the match between Rapolu and Lee, the two players displayed exceptional skill and determination. The first set ended with Rapolu establishing a 2-0 lead in the second set, ultimately winning the tiebreaker 7-5. Rapolu will now be facing 2 seed No. 2 Amelia Rajecki of NC State in the Round of 32 on Tuesday, May 21.
Sasnouskaya, on the other hand, was downed in her match to Alexa Noel. Despite a valiant effort, Noel clinched the victory with a score of 6-2, 7-5. However, Sasnouskaya will have another chance to shine in the upcoming doubles match with Rapolu.
The upcoming matches involving the Texas Longhorns duo are highly anticipated. The No. 34 ranked tandem of Rapolu and Sasnouskaya will be facing off against No. 17 Victoria Allen and Amelia Bissett of Florida State in the opening Round of 32. The 2024 NCAA Women’s Singles Championships have certainly proven to be an exciting event filled with intense competition, and the Longhorns are standing at the forefront of this prestigious tournament.
As we eagerly await the matches to come, it’s important to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship displayed by all the athletes participating in the championships. Their commitment to the sport has been truly remarkable, and their performances have inspired countless individuals around the world. We wish the best of luck to all the participants as they continue to showcase their talent and passion for tennis on the national stage.
The road to the NCAA Singles Championships Round of 32 has been a challenging yet rewarding journey for these exceptional athletes. Their exemplary display of skill and sportsmanship serves as a testament to the values upheld by the University of Texas and the collegiate sports community as a whole. Let’s continue to show our support for Malaika Rapolu, Tanya Sasnouskaya, and all the remarkable athletes competing in the NCAA Women’s Singles Championships.