The University of Minnesota tennis program had an electric start to the 2023 ITA Central Region Championships. Freshman student-athletes Mia Liepert and Emma Belluomini went undefeated in both of Thursday’s qualifying singles rounds. Their wins today earned them spots in the tournament’s main singles draw, where they’ll join the rest of their Minnesota teammates on Friday.
Liepert claimed her first victory over St. Louis University’s Fiorella Duran, winning 6-3, 6-0. She then followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Juliette Robinson of Missouri State.
Belluomini started off with a 6-4, 5-7, [10]-[7] tiebreaker win over Amal Gati from Missouri-Kansas City. She then defeated Ewa Czapulak from Southeast Missouri with a score of 7(7)-6(0), 6-0. Belluomini’s victories today extended her singles winning streak to eight consecutive matches this season.
All Gopher doubles pairings had already qualified for the main draw going into Thursday. The team will begin their tournament doubles play on Friday.
Head coach Lois Arterberry said, “Good work from both Mia and Emma today, working through some tough weather conditions to pull out two wins each and join their teammates in the main draw. It’s great to have six players in the main draw, with two of our players earning their way in today. We are excited and ready to compete against some high-level players tomorrow, and to continue to get one-percent better with every match we play.”
The 2023 ITA Central Regional Championships will continue tomorrow, with main draw play beginning at 9:00 a.m. (CT) at Jayhawk Tennis Center in Lawrence, Kansas.
Tomorrow will mark the tournament debuts of Minnesota’s Sofia Pizzoni, Aiva Schmitz, Sofia Pinto, and Anali Kocevar, who are all competing in the main draw for both singles and doubles.
Fans can follow the week’s events on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and the KU Website.
Matches will be streamed live via this link.
Individual Singles Results:
Qualifying Rounds:
– Mia Liepert
– Def. Fiorella Duran (SLU) 6-3, 6-0.
– Def. Juliette Robinson (Missouri State) 6-2, 6-3.
– Emma Belluomini
– Def. Amal Gati (UMKC) 6-4, 5-7, [10]-[7].
– Def. Ewa Czapulak (SEMO) 7(7)-6(0), 6-0.
