Sophomore Ainsley Hedibreder in action against DePauw early this season. (Photo Courtesy of the Athletic Department.)

Entering the University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament, the Washington University women’s tennis team was hopeful that it could improve on their fifth-place finish from last year. However, the Bears knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially given the fact that seven of eight teams in the conference were ranked in the top 31 in the country entering the tournament. Despite being ranked No. 17 in the nation, WashU was the UAA’s sixth seed. 

The Bears rallied in the first round, defeating No. 14 Carnegie Mellon to clinch a spot in the semifinals. From there, however, the Bears struggled against tougher opposition, losing 5-0 to   No.7 Emory, the conference’s second seed, but fell 5-3 to No. 18 New York University (NYU) to finish fourth in the conference.

In the first round, the Bears knew it would be tough playing a higher-ranked opponent, but were no strangers to being the underdog. 

“We have played a very demanding strength of schedule this year, with six of our matches against teams ranked in the top ten in the country,” coach Paige Madara said. “We knew what to expect against the top competition in the UAA, and that we would have to bring a strong, competitive fight in every match.”

The Bears indeed started the match off strong. The first doubles pairing — Karen Gao and Eliana Hanna — and third doubles duo — Ainsley Heidbreder and Nina Moravek—- both won, giving the Bears a 2-1 edge after the first three matches. After the sides split the first four singles matches, the team score was 4-3. Senior Sophia Huynh, playing at sixth singles, pulled off a dominant 6-0 win in the third set of her match to clinch the victory for the Bears.

The experience and quality of their two seniors, Huynh and Anke Patel, who didn’t play in the conference tournament this year, were crucial for the side throughout the season, according to Madara. 

“Sophia and Anke are both determined competitors on the court, and it was fitting that Sophia clinched our Carnegie match on the same court that Anke clinched our match against Brandeis last year,” Madara said.

The momentum for the WashU side would end there, however. In the semifinals, they were swept 5-0 by a difficult Emory team. The Eagles went on to finish second in the conference, losing to No. 1 University of Chicago in the final.

In the third-place contest against NYU, WashU struggled early, losing both of their first two doubles matches 8-1. Heidbreder and Moravek picked up an 8-5 doubles win, putting the Bears back within touching distance of the Violets. After winning two out of their next three singles matches, the team score was leveled at 3-3. Ultimately, however, NYU won the last two matches to clinch the third place spot.

WashU now has their eyes set on May 1, when the NCAA DIII tournament bracket will be revealed. Madara believes that her team has done enough to earn a bid. 

“We have played a demanding strength of schedule and won against many nationally ranked opponents and teams that won their conference AQ,” Madara saidafter the tournament. 

Regardless of what happens in the selection process, however, the coach is optimistic about the future of the WashU women’s tennis program. 

“It is an exciting time for women’s tennis!” Madara added. “We are young, and this season, our players gained a lot of big match, high-pressure experience that will only serve us well moving forward.”