University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, October 12
Lawrence, KS
9:00 AM
University of Minnesota
vs
ITA Central Regional
Players Mentioned
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Gopher Tennis Falls in Doubles Quarterfinals to Finish 2023 ITA Regionals
10/15/2023 4:06:00 PM | Tennis
LAWRENCE, KS - The University of Minnesota tennis program wrapped up play at the 2023 ITA Central Region Championships on Sunday, as Gopher doubles duo Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert dropped a tight 5-8 quarterfinals match to the top-seeded Oklahoma pair Dana Guzman and Alina Shcherbinina. Pinto and Liepert were the last of six Minnesota student-athletes initially competing in the main draw this weekend.
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In extra singles play, both Anali Kocevar and Aiva Schmitz notched wins today. Kocevar defeated Southeast Missouri's Cosima Trinity Calinescu 6-2, 6-3, and Schmitz won 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(4) against Maria Santos of Kansas State.
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Quote from Coach
"This was a good tournament. We had an opportunity to see our players compete against some high level players from across the country," said head coach Lois Arterberry. "High level tennis from Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto, competing against two top schools to make it to the quarterfinals of doubles. It takes a lot of grit to get to that level in a tournament and I believe that they showed up and competed really well. Overall, we definitely represented our program in the way that we wanted to, and are now looking forward to competing at the Drake Invite and getting to play some top tennis there as well."
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Next Up
The Gophers will wrap up the 2023 fall season at the Drake Bulldog Classic in Des Moines, Iowa from Nov. 3-5.
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Additional Coach Arterberry Quotes
On Sofia Pinto and Emma Belluomini
"We had a good showing from Sofia Pinto and Emma Belluomini, both making it to the third round of singles. Pinto played great against the number one seed, taking her all the way to a third set. Emma competed really well this entire tournament, playing in tons of matches. She qualified into the main draw and competed really well against top players. Emma was on a ten-match winning streak before falling in the third set in the third round of the tournament to Indiana Spink, who is currently in the quarterfinals of the tournament."
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On Aiva Schmitz
"Aiva had a really good tournament. She made it to the second round in singles and competed really well in the back draw. She played against some really good players and definitely stepped up to a higher level this tournament."
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On Mia Liepert
"Mia competed very well in her singles as well, making it to the quarterfinals of the consolation rounds before dropping in a close one against the University of Kansas. She definitely showed up and competed really well this weekend."
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Individual Doubles Results
Quarterfinals
Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert
Lost to Dana Guzman and Alina Shcherbinina (Oklahoma) 5-8.
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Individual Singles Results
Extra
Anali Kocevar
Def. Cosima Trinity Calinescu (SEMO) 6-2, 6-3.Â
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Aiva Schmitz
Def. Maria Santos (Kansas State) 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(4).
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In extra singles play, both Anali Kocevar and Aiva Schmitz notched wins today. Kocevar defeated Southeast Missouri's Cosima Trinity Calinescu 6-2, 6-3, and Schmitz won 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(4) against Maria Santos of Kansas State.
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Quote from Coach
"This was a good tournament. We had an opportunity to see our players compete against some high level players from across the country," said head coach Lois Arterberry. "High level tennis from Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto, competing against two top schools to make it to the quarterfinals of doubles. It takes a lot of grit to get to that level in a tournament and I believe that they showed up and competed really well. Overall, we definitely represented our program in the way that we wanted to, and are now looking forward to competing at the Drake Invite and getting to play some top tennis there as well."
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Next Up
The Gophers will wrap up the 2023 fall season at the Drake Bulldog Classic in Des Moines, Iowa from Nov. 3-5.
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Additional Coach Arterberry Quotes
On Sofia Pinto and Emma Belluomini
"We had a good showing from Sofia Pinto and Emma Belluomini, both making it to the third round of singles. Pinto played great against the number one seed, taking her all the way to a third set. Emma competed really well this entire tournament, playing in tons of matches. She qualified into the main draw and competed really well against top players. Emma was on a ten-match winning streak before falling in the third set in the third round of the tournament to Indiana Spink, who is currently in the quarterfinals of the tournament."
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On Aiva Schmitz
"Aiva had a really good tournament. She made it to the second round in singles and competed really well in the back draw. She played against some really good players and definitely stepped up to a higher level this tournament."
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On Mia Liepert
"Mia competed very well in her singles as well, making it to the quarterfinals of the consolation rounds before dropping in a close one against the University of Kansas. She definitely showed up and competed really well this weekend."
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Individual Doubles Results
Quarterfinals
Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert
Lost to Dana Guzman and Alina Shcherbinina (Oklahoma) 5-8.
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Individual Singles Results
Extra
Anali Kocevar
Def. Cosima Trinity Calinescu (SEMO) 6-2, 6-3.Â
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Aiva Schmitz
Def. Maria Santos (Kansas State) 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(4).
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