The University of Minnesota tennis program concluded its participation in the 2023 ITA Central Region Championships on Sunday. Gopher doubles duo Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert lost a close quarterfinals match to the top-seeded Oklahoma pair Dana Guzman and Alina Shcherbinina. Pinto and Liepert were the last of six Minnesota student-athletes competing in the main draw.
In extra singles play, both Anali Kocevar and Aiva Schmitz secured victories. Kocevar defeated Southeast Missouri’s Cosima Trinity Calinescu with a score of 6-2, 6-3, while Schmitz won 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(4) against Maria Santos of Kansas State.
Head coach Lois Arterberry expressed her thoughts on the tournament, stating, “This was a good tournament. We had an opportunity to see our players compete against some high-level players from across the country. Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto showed high-level tennis, competing against top schools and reaching the quarterfinals in doubles. Overall, we represented our program well and are now looking forward to the Drake Invite.”
The Gophers will conclude their fall season at the Drake Bulldog Classic in Des Moines, Iowa from November 3-5. Coach Arterberry also provided additional comments on the performances of Sofia Pinto, Emma Belluomini, Aiva Schmitz, and Mia Liepert in the tournament.
In doubles, Pinto and Liepert lost to Dana Guzman and Alina Shcherbinina with a score of 5-8 in the quarterfinals. In singles, Anali Kocevar defeated Cosima Trinity Calinescu 6-2, 6-3, while Aiva Schmitz won against Maria Santos with scores of 7(7)-6(5) and 7(7)-6(4).
