San Diego, California – The third-seeded LMU Women's Tennis team started the 2023 postseason with a 4-3 victory Thursday against No. 6-seed San Francisco (USF) in the first round of the WCC Championship. With a strong lineup and a great season under their belt, the Lions are poised and ready to take on the next opponent in the tournament.
 
As the 2023 WCC Tennis Tournament entered day one, all eyes were on the LMU Women's Tennis team with a rematch of the regular season competition against USF. Less than seven days ago, the Lions went head-to-head with WCC foe USF after defeating the Dons, 5-2 on April 22.
 
Doubles competition proved to be a challenge for the Lions, as the Dons came out swinging…literally. The Dons won the doubles point in convincing fashion to take the opening point of the day. The doubles tandem of Martinez Vaquer and Chhabra from USF held Veronika Miroshnichenko and Eva Marie Voracek to just three points with a 6-3 win over the Lions. Soon after, on court three, Mushika and Courtney swept away Anna Paradisi and Stefania Rogozinska-Dzik with a 6-4 win. The Lions knew they had to figure out a way to fight back.
 
Led by the top players, LMU presented themselves with great skill and determination on the courts during singles. The Lion's singles competition exhibited incredible athleticism and endurance, battling through tough matches, and proving their resilience in the face of adversity.
 
In the most exciting fashion, all courts except for court number six were finished, leaving only Sofia Munera and Arianna Capogrosso to battle it out for the final deciding point. Sofia was keeping her rhythm and composure, bult ultimate lost the first set, 5-7. But in sets two and three, the Lion was everything but calm as her fierceness led to an elite competition, Sofia was able to take the match deciding point, defeating Arianna Capogrosso; 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.
 
But the road to the championship won't be easy, as the Lions will be facing some tough competition as they will face 2-seed San Diego tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Still, with their talent, experience, and dedication, the LMU Women's Tennis team is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and fans can't wait to see what they'll accomplish in the next match. Will they rise to the top and claim the WCC title? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the Lions will be giving it their all on the court.
 
LMU is back in action Friday at 10 a.m. against second-seeded San Diego in the WCC Championship semifinals.
 
Results:
Doubles Competition:
Martinez Vaquer and Chhabra (USF) def. Veronika Miroshnichenko and Eva Marie Voracek (LMU): 3-6
Colyer and Capogrosso (USF) abandoned on court 2 with Wiktoria Rutkowska and Isabella Tcherkes-Zade (LMU)
Mushika and Courtney (USF) def. Stefania Rogozinska-Dzik and Anna Paradisi (LMU); 4-6
 
Singles Competition:
Veronika Miroshnichenko (LMU) def. Maria Martinez Vaquero (USF); 6-4, 6-3
Stefania Rogozinska-Dzik (LMU) def. Chiho Mushika (USF); 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
Eva Marie Voracek (LMU) def. Caragh Courtney (USF); 6-1, 6-3
Simran Chhabra (USF) def. Anna Paradisi (LMU); 4-6, 2-6
Hana Gamracy (USF) def. Isabella Tcherkes-Zade (LMU); 4-6, 1-6
Sophia Munera (LMU) def. Arianna Capogrosso (USF); 5-7, 7-5, 6-3
 
ITA Rankings (As of 4/25/2023):
Team: LMU – No. 51 in Division I Women's Tennis
Singles: LMU – Veronika Miroshnichenko – No. 87 in Division I Women's Tennis
Doubles: LMU – Veronika Miroshnichenko & Eva Marie Voracek – No. 11 in Division I Women's Tennis
 
Order of finish:
Doubles: 1, 3, 2 (abandoned after USF clinch on court 3)
Singles: 3, 1, 4, 5, 2, 6 (all courts completed)
 
Next Match:
The Lions next match is on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10 a.m. PT against San Diego.
 
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