“U of Minnesota Athletics: A Force to Reckon With”

LAWRENCE, KS – The University of Minnesota tennis program started its main draw play on the second day of the ITA Regional Championships, recording a singles record of 8-4 and a doubles record of 2-2. Six Gopher student-athletes competed in the main draw, with four advancing from their opening rounds in either singles or doubles. Out of those who advanced, three will continue main draw play on Saturday.

Minnesota’s doubles pair, Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert, won both their doubles rounds of 64 and 32, defeating duos from Creighton and Drake, respectively, to qualify for the doubles round of 16 tomorrow. All other Gopher doubles pairings will begin consolation play tomorrow.

Three Gophers advanced from the singles round of 128 to the round of 64: Aiva Schmitz, Sofia Pinto, and Emma Belluomini. Pinto and Belluomini remained undefeated, earning spots in the round of 32, which also begins tomorrow. In consolation play, Sofia Pizzoni, Anali Kocevar, and Mia Liepert all secured victories. They will continue consolation play throughout the weekend.

Next Up
The 2023 ITA Central Regional Championships will continue on Saturday, with play starting at 9:00 a.m. (CT) at Jayhawk Tennis Center in Lawrence, Kansas.

Fans can follow the weekend’s events on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and the KU Website.

Matches will be streamed live at this link.

Individual Singles Results

Round of 64
Sofia Pinto
Def. Elizabeth Mintusova (SLU) 6(4)-7(7), 6-3, 6-3.

Emma Belluomini
Def. Zdena Safarova (Oklahoma) 7-5, 6-3.

Aiva Schmitz
Lost to Isabel Ardrover Gallego (Nebraska) 3-6, 0-6.

Consolation
Sofia Pizzoni
Def. Margaux Guibal Britt (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) 3-6, 6-3, [10]-[7].

Anali Kocevar
Def. Lera Valeeva (Southeast Missouri State) 6-2, 6-0.

Mia Liepert
Def. Sofia Zhylchuk (Tulsa) 7(7)-6(5), 6-4.

Round of 128
Sofia Pinto
Def. Sapir Sela (UND) 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.

Sofia Pizzoni
Lost to Tereza Polakova (Kansas State) 7(7)-6(2), 4-6, 4-6.

Emma Belluomini
Def. Romary Cardenas (Missouri) 6-3, 7(7)-6(2).

Aiva Schmitz
Def. Silvia Maria Costache (Kansas) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Anali Kocevar
Lost to Natsumi Kurahashi (Wichita State) 1-6, 3-6.

Mia Liepert
Lost to Oriana Parkins Godwin (Drake) 3-6, 2-6.

Individual Doubles Results

Round of 32
Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert
Def. Kristina Novak and Raquel Gonzalez (OSU) 8-3.

Round of 64
Emma Belluomini and Anali Kocevar
Lost to Oriana Parkins Godwin and Ines Stephani (Drake) 7(5)-8(7).

Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert
Def. Ana Paula Martinez and Annika Elvestrom (Creighton) 8(7)-7(0).

Sofia Pizzoni and Aiva Schmitz
Lost to Sorcha Caves and Beata Havlickova (USD) 1-8.