Women's Tennis Punches Ticket to ITA National Indoors

Saturday, January 25

Berkeley, CA

3 PM

University of Oklahoma

California

Women's Tennis Punches Ticket to ITA National Indoors

January 25, 2025 | Women's Tennis

Box Score OU 4, CAL 1

By: OU Athletics Communications

BERKELEY, Calif. – The No. 17 Oklahoma women's tennis team punched its ticket to the ITA National Indoor Championship by knocking off No. 14 Cal, 4-1, on Saturday evening at the Hellman Tennis Complex. It marks Oklahoma's third appearance at the national event, to be hosted by Illinois and Northwestern on Feb. 7-11.

In a rematch of last season's ITA Kickoff Championship in Norman, the Sooners (4-0) claimed a tightly contested doubles point that was decided on a crucial tiebreaker on the top court.

Cal took the early advantage, winning the first doubles match on court two behind a 6-2 showing from Greta Greco Lucchina and Mao Mushika over No. 30 Julia Garcia Ruiz and Chloé Noël. Following closely behind, the dynamic freshmen doubles pair of Salakthip Ounmuiang and Gloriana Nahum defeated Berta Passola Folch and Tiziana-Marie Schomburg, 6-2, on court three to shift momentum in OU's favor.

Despite finding themselves in a 3-2 hole early in tiebreakers, No. 28 Alina Shcherbinina and Cara Mester rattled off five straight points vs. Greta Greco Lucchina and Mao Mushika, ultimately prevailing 7-3 to send Oklahoma to a 1-0 lead.

With three more courts to secure the OU victory, No. 68 Ava Catanzarite took down Greco Lucchina at the sixth spot in a dominant, 6-1, 6-0 fashion. Next up, Nahum defeated No. 81 Passola Folch on court five, 6-4, 6-3, to add another point to OU's score. The straight-set victory proved to be the first ranked singles win for the freshman from Cotonou, Benin.

Cal's lone singles win of the night came on court four, as Asola defeated No. 66 Emma Staker, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The remaining courts went to a third set, but play would not last for long. Sending the Sooners on their first trip to Indoor Nationals since 2023, No. 14 Garcia Ruiz claimed the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over No. 35 Wiersholm on court one.

The Sooners will travel to Illinois for the tournament held on Feb. 7-11. The schedule will be released at a later date as regional action wraps up around the country.

UP NEXT

OU will hit the road for a quick tune-up at Tulsa on Feb. 4 before heading to Indoor Nationals. First serve against the Golden Hurricane is set for 2 p.m. CT.

RESULTS

#17 Oklahoma 4, #14 California 1

Singles

1. #14 Julia Garcia Ruiz (OU) def. #35 Katja Wiersholm (CAL), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
2. #71 Mao Mushika (CAL) vs. #43 Alina Shcherbinina (OU), 7-5, 6-6 (6-7), unfinished
3. #63 Lan Mi (CAL) vs. Salakthip Ounmuang (OU), 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 2-1, unfinished
4. Jessica Alsola (CAL) def. #66 Emma Staker (OU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
5. Gloriana Nahum (OU) def. #81 Berta Passola Folch (CAL), 6-4, 6-3
6. Ava Catanzarite (OU) def. Greta Greco Lucchina (CAL) 6-1 6-0

Doubles

1. #28 Cara Mester/Alina Shcherbinina (OU) def. Greta Greco Lucchina/Mao Mushika (CAL), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
2. Jessica Alsola/Katja Wiersholm (CAL) def. #30 Julia Garcia Ruiz/Chloe Noel (OU), 6-2
3. Gloriana Nahum/Salakthip Ounmuang (OU) def. Berta Passola Folch and Tiziana-M Schomburg (CAL), 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,5,4,1)