Augustana women’s tennis earned three bids to the inaugural ITA Division II Championships after a strong Central Regional showing. AnaMaria Zoric qualified in singles and, with Mariia Bakhtina, in doubles; Smilte Bakyte and Fernanda Sandoval also secured a doubles spot by reaching the regional final.

By the Numbers
  • 3 national championship bids for Augustana women.
  • 32 players in the singles field; 16 teams in each doubles field.
  • November 4-8: championship dates in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Yes, But

Neither Augustana doubles team won the regional title: Bakyte and Sandoval lost in the final, while Zoric and Bakhtina fell in the round of 16. Both teams qualified through their regional performance or at-large selection, with Zoric’s No. 3 national doubles ranking last season cited as a factor in her team’s selection.

State of Play
  • Zoric also reached the singles semifinals before losing to the eventual regional champion; her at-large selection earned her a national spot.
  • Augustana athletes also advanced deep into the regional singles and doubles draws, including Mia Garcia, who reached the women’s singles semifinals.
What's Next

Augustana’s qualifiers compete at the ITA Division II Singles and Doubles National Championships November 4-8 at the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center.

Bottom Line

Augustana heads to the inaugural national championships with three women’s entries, led by Zoric’s dual qualification and a doubles team that earned its place by reaching the regional final.