Gophers Tennis Team Shines in DeKalb
The University of Minnesota tennis team had an impressive doubleheader in DeKalb, Illinois, on Saturday. They defeated Western Michigan 7-0 and Northern Illinois 6-1, marking their strong start to the spring season with a record of 4-0.
In singles, the Gophers dominated with a combined score of 9-1 and performed well in doubles, finishing 4-2.
Against Western Michigan
In the matchup with Western Michigan, the Gophers secured the doubles point by winning two of three matches. Sofia Pinto and Jeselle Ante opened with a quick 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles. Although the Huskies claimed victory at No. 3, Yinong Ma and Anlin Xie clinched the crucial point with a 6-4 win.
The singles matches saw the Gophers sweep all six, starting with Ante’s 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 2. Pinto followed suit, winning 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3, while Aiva Schmitz sealed the overall victory with a 6-3, 6-1 result against Lola Glantz at No. 1.
Against Northern Illinois
In their clash with Northern Illinois, Minnesota again won the doubles point, despite losing at No. 1. The Gophers bounced back, with Ma and Xie winning 6-4 at No. 2 and Mia Liepert and Nora Knezevic also winning at No. 3.
In singles, Ante led the way with a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 2. Northern Illinois managed to get one point at No. 1, but Pinto and Liepert also triumphed in their matches, bringing the Gophers’ total to five wins in singles.
Notable Highlights
- The Gophers improved their all-time record against Western Michigan to 6-1. This win also marked their first against the Broncos since 2007.
- Ante, Pinto, and Xie are all off to a strong start this season, going 4-0 in singles play.
- Pinto achieved her 70th career win, making her the team leader in career victories.
The Gophers will next face Wyoming and Colorado State in upcoming matches, continuing their pursuit of a successful season. According to a recent NCAA report, strong team chemistry and player resilience are key factors for competitive performance in college sports, and Minnesota’s efforts appear to align well with these insights.
For further details on NCAA statistics and team performances, check the NCAA’s official site here.
