Women's tennis team reaches Elite Eight

The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a 4-0 win over No. 14 seed Charleston (West Virginia) on May 20 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The Nighthawks are back in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019 and just the second time in program history.

UNG (24-1), the No. 3 seed, faces Academy of Art, the No. 11 seed, at 4 p.m. May 21 in the national quarterfinals. Academy of Art defeated No. 6 seed University of Indianapolis 4-1 on May 20. The national semifinals are at 9 a.m. May 23.

"Last time we came here, we were happy to be in the Elite Eight. This year, I don't think it's enough, so they're going to stay hungry," head coach Kent Norsworthy said. 

Norsworthy also noted that while his team took down the Golden Eagles 4-0, by no means was it an easy win. 

"It's not fair to call that a 4-0 match. They definitely pushed us to the limits," he said. "It's not fair to call it 4-0, but it was a great battle for sure." 

In doubles play, it was wins in the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles spots that helped UNG secure an early 1-0 lead. 

Senior Valentina Ascarrunz and junior Carolina Reis earned a 6-4 win in the No. 3 spot, moments before junior Angelina Linnikova and senior Svetlana Teterina combined for a 6-3 win the No. 2 match to clinch the point for the Nighthawks. 

Ascarrunz, who is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, moved to 21-2 in singles competition this season with a 6-2, 6-1 win in the second set. Ascarrunz has now tied Linnikova for the most singles wins of any player this season. Her 21 victories is also tied for the second-most singles wins in a season in UNG women's tennis history. 

After Ascarrunz, it was Teterina's turn to pick up a critical win. The senior took down her opponent 6-4, 6-2, pulling the Nighthawks within clinching distance at 3-0 in the match. 

Senior Johanna Lippert earned a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory to clinch the match. It was her 16th singles win of the season.

"She's one of those players where when she goes into a third set, I almost relax more," Norsworthy said. "She just plays so well under pressure, that it almost eases my mind in those moments. She just gets tougher."