Senior Grace Piper and sophomore Lily Fairclough made their mark at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships held at Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas from Nov. 19 to 24. These talented players were in fierce competition, with Piper also participating in singles. Their journey was filled with both victories and setbacks.Round of 32: A Definitive Win
In the Round of 32, Piper and Fairclough showed exceptional skill as they achieved a definitive 6-2, 6-4 win against the Baylor duo of seniors Liubov Kostenko and Cristina Tiglea. This victory propelled them further in the tournament and showcased their potential.They were ranked No. 20 at the time and were clearly a force to be reckoned with. This win gave them confidence and set the stage for what was to come.
Round of 16: A Tough Loss
However, their journey took a turn in the round of 16. They faced the Duke University pairing of freshman Irina Balus and senior Ellie Coleman and fell 7-5, 6-3. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome their opponents on this occasion. This loss brought their season record to 6-3.It was a tough defeat, but it also served as a learning experience for Piper and Fairclough. They would take this setback and use it to grow and improve for future tournaments.
Doubles Championship Contention
Throughout the tournament, Piper and Fairclough were in contention for a doubles championship. Their teamwork and chemistry on the court were evident, and they gave it their all in every match.They faced tough opponents along the way, but their determination never wavered. Even though they didn't achieve the doubles championship, their performance was highly commendable.
Singles Bracket: Grace Piper's Journey
In the singles bracket, Piper, ranked No. 36, had her own challenges. She lost 7-6(1), 6-3 in the round of 32 to Oklahoma junior Julia Garcia Ruiz. This was a tough defeat, but Piper showed great sportsmanship and continued to fight.Ruiz went on to lose in the semifinals to Auburn junior DJ Bennett 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. Bennett's victory was a significant moment as she became the first women's tennis player from Auburn to compete in the finals of the tournament.Bennett took second place, while Georgia senior Dasha Vidmanova won 6-3, 6-3, securing Georgia's fourth NCAA Singles Championships title.
Team History and Other Achievements
In team history, the Trojans have an impressive record. They have won five national singles titles and two national doubles titles, making them the program with the most cumulative national titles for any women's team at USC.This year marks the start of a two-year pilot program where the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships are played in the fall, while the NCAA Team Championship remains in the spring.Junior Emma Charney reached an ITA ranking of No. 15 at the end of the fall season, her highest-ever ranking, which is five places higher than last season's ranking of No. 20.For the rest of the team, freshmen Jana Hossam, Simone Kay, and Anya Murthy completed their first fall seasons as Trojans. They played an important part in USC's sweep of the Women of Troy Invite, one of two home tournaments this fall. Hossam won the singles title, and Murthy and senior Sloane Morra took the doubles title.
Looking Ahead
With the end of the fall season, the No. 13 Trojans will return to the court in January for dual-match play. They will be looking to build on their experiences and continue to strive for success in the upcoming seasons.Their performance at the NCAA Championships has shown their potential, and fans can look forward to seeing them in action again.
