University of Minnesota Athletics
Wednesday, March 18
Minneapolis, MN
12:00 PM
University of Minnesota
7
vs
0
South Dakota
Players Mentioned
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
Photo by: Claudia Staut
Gophers Sweep South Dakota in Midweek Matchup, 7-0
3/18/2026 3:16:00 PM | Tennis
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota tennis team defeated South Dakota 7-0 on Wednesday afternoon to close out its nonconference schedule for the season.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"Strong start from the Gophers today, winning the doubles point, head coach Lois Arterberry said." We've been working hard to improve in doubles heading into this weekend against Maryland and Rutgers. It'll be imperative that we capture the doubles point so we can start singles in a good position. As a team, we're focused on playing competitive doubles, and today everyone showed up.
"We also had strong performances in singles and got the job done. We faced some adversity this week with travel issues, but the team stepped up and handled it together. As we head into this weekend's Big Ten matches, we're looking forward to competing hard and improving in the areas where we weren't as strong last weekend."
Key Moments
Minnesota secured the doubles point with two wins over South Dakota. South Dakota struck first at the No. 3 spot as Selena Bird and Ava Doddridge defeated Aiva Schmitz and Yinong Ma 6-0. The Gophers responded when Nora Knzezevic and Arina Valitova earned a dominant 6-1 victory against Anna Medvyedyeva and Kayleigh Didderiens. Minnesota clinched the point at the No. 2 position, as Mia Liepert and Anlin Xie topped Keta Shavishvili and Natal Alves De Lima 7-6 (7-1).
Minnesota swept all six singles matches to secure a dominant victory over South Dakota on Wednesday at the Baseline Tennis Center, with the order of finish at Nos. 6, 5, 3, 4, 2 and 1. Nora Knezevic opened play with a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6, followed by Arina Valitova at No. 5 and Anlin Xie at No. 3 to give the Gophers early control. Yinong Ma extended the lead with a straight-set win at No. 4 before Aiva Schmitz added another victory at No. 2. Mia Liepert closed out the sweep with a 6-3, 2-6, 10-6 win at the No. 1 position.
Results
Doubles
1. Nora Knzezevic/Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Anna Medvyedyeva/Kayleigh Didderiens (USD) 6-1.
2. Mia Liepert/Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Keta Shavishvili/ Natal Alves De Lima (USD) 7-6 (7-1).
3. Aiva Schmitz/Yinong Ma (MINN) lost to Selena Bird/Ava Doddridge (USD) 0-6.
Singles
1. Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Selena Bird (USD) 6-3, 2-6, 10-6.
2. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Kayleigh Didderiens (USD) 7-5, 6-3.
3. Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Anna Medvyedyeva (USD) 6-1, 6-4.
4. Yinong Ma (MINN) def. Cassy Marra (USD) 6-2, 6-4.
5. Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Keta Shavishvili (USD) 6-3,6-0.
6. Nora Knezevic (MINN) def. Natal Alves De Lima (USD) 6-0, 6-1.
Order of Finish
Doubles: (3, 1, 2)
Singles: (6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 1)
Notables
Next on the Docket
The Golden Gophers will travel to Rutgers on March 21 before traveling to Maryland on March 22.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"Strong start from the Gophers today, winning the doubles point, head coach Lois Arterberry said." We've been working hard to improve in doubles heading into this weekend against Maryland and Rutgers. It'll be imperative that we capture the doubles point so we can start singles in a good position. As a team, we're focused on playing competitive doubles, and today everyone showed up.
"We also had strong performances in singles and got the job done. We faced some adversity this week with travel issues, but the team stepped up and handled it together. As we head into this weekend's Big Ten matches, we're looking forward to competing hard and improving in the areas where we weren't as strong last weekend."
Key Moments
Minnesota secured the doubles point with two wins over South Dakota. South Dakota struck first at the No. 3 spot as Selena Bird and Ava Doddridge defeated Aiva Schmitz and Yinong Ma 6-0. The Gophers responded when Nora Knzezevic and Arina Valitova earned a dominant 6-1 victory against Anna Medvyedyeva and Kayleigh Didderiens. Minnesota clinched the point at the No. 2 position, as Mia Liepert and Anlin Xie topped Keta Shavishvili and Natal Alves De Lima 7-6 (7-1).
Minnesota swept all six singles matches to secure a dominant victory over South Dakota on Wednesday at the Baseline Tennis Center, with the order of finish at Nos. 6, 5, 3, 4, 2 and 1. Nora Knezevic opened play with a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6, followed by Arina Valitova at No. 5 and Anlin Xie at No. 3 to give the Gophers early control. Yinong Ma extended the lead with a straight-set win at No. 4 before Aiva Schmitz added another victory at No. 2. Mia Liepert closed out the sweep with a 6-3, 2-6, 10-6 win at the No. 1 position.
Results
Doubles
1. Nora Knzezevic/Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Anna Medvyedyeva/Kayleigh Didderiens (USD) 6-1.
2. Mia Liepert/Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Keta Shavishvili/ Natal Alves De Lima (USD) 7-6 (7-1).
3. Aiva Schmitz/Yinong Ma (MINN) lost to Selena Bird/Ava Doddridge (USD) 0-6.
Singles
1. Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Selena Bird (USD) 6-3, 2-6, 10-6.
2. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Kayleigh Didderiens (USD) 7-5, 6-3.
3. Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Anna Medvyedyeva (USD) 6-1, 6-4.
4. Yinong Ma (MINN) def. Cassy Marra (USD) 6-2, 6-4.
5. Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Keta Shavishvili (USD) 6-3,6-0.
6. Nora Knezevic (MINN) def. Natal Alves De Lima (USD) 6-0, 6-1.
Order of Finish
Doubles: (3, 1, 2)
Singles: (6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 1)
Notables
- Minnesota defeated South Dakota for the seventh time in series history, improving to 7-0 all-time against the Coyotes.
- Mia Liepert reached the 50-career-win mark with a 6-3, 2-6, 10-6 victory over Selena Bird.
- Minnesota is 10-0 this season when winning the doubles point, accounting for all of its victories.
- The Gophers outscored nonconference opponents 62-28 this season.
- When Anlin Xie wins her singles match, Minnesota is 9-1 this season.
Next on the Docket
The Golden Gophers will travel to Rutgers on March 21 before traveling to Maryland on March 22.
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Sweep Season Opener
Wednesday, February 04
Cinematic Recap: Gopher Invite
Tuesday, September 30
Behind the Scenes: Media Day
Thursday, September 18
First Practice of 2025
Tuesday, September 09