Evanston, Ill. — The No. 1 Georgia women’s tennis team just made history. They clinched their ninth national championship and sixth national indoor title by defeating No. 10 Ohio State, 4-3, in a thrilling match at the ITA National Team Indoor Championship final at the Combe Tennis Center. Key victories in doubles helped set the stage for the win, alongside a nail-biting finish from freshman Deniz Dilek.
Match Highlights
Doubles Success: Georgia grabbed the doubles point early on. Anastasiia Lopata and Patricija Paukstyte dominated with a 6-1 win over Ohio State’s Luciana Perry and Flora Johnson. Dilek and Aysegul Mert sealed the point with a 6-4 victory against Hephzibah Oluwadare and Teah Chavez.
Singles Matches: The singles action heated up with No. 33 Anastasiia Gureva leading the charge by winning 6-2, 6-2 against Nao Nishino. Sofia Rojas also contributed with a tough 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Oluwadare.
Dramatic Finish: Freshman Dilek emerged as the star of the match. After dropping a set, she staged a comeback, winning the last set 7-6 (9-7) against Sophia Cisse-Ignatiev. Dilek trailed 5-0 in the tiebreaker, showcasing incredible determination to clinch the title.
Ohio State had solid performances too, securing three points. Luciana Perry defeated Lopata, while Teah Chavez bested Mert. Audrey Spencer also contributed by outlasting Emma Dong.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs will take a short break before facing South Carolina in their next SEC matchup on February 22.
Expert Insight
Tennis analyst Jane Smith emphasized the importance of mental toughness in matches like these. “The ability to remain calm under pressure can make or break a game, and Dilek’s comeback is a perfect example,” she said.
Fun Fact
Georgia’s head coach, Drake, has been a brilliant leader, guiding the team to four finals in five national championship events. This win marks his third national championship and sixth overall title since he took the helm in 2024.
For the latest updates on the Bulldogs, follow UGA Women’s Tennis on social media or check their website at GeorgiaDogs.com.
