MEMPHIS, Tenn. (10/9/24) – Freshman Carla Muro Castellvi advanced to the singles main draw on Wednesday, as the Arkansas State tennis team picked up five singles wins on the first day of the ITA Central Regional Championships.
She opened the day with a straight-set victory over Lilitha Ndungane of Arkansas, winning 7-6(2), 6-3. She then routed Minnesota's Sofia Pinto 6-2, 6-2 to punch her ticket to the main draw.
"I am very happy with the work that the team has done today," Muro Castellvi said. "Everyone gave everything and showed an amazing level on court. I'm also very happy with my two wins. I think that all the hard work is paying off."
Fellow freshman Lily Cvanciger later prevailed in a marathon three-setter that lasted nearly four hours, defeating Razorback Jimena Gomez 6-7(4), 7-6(9), 7-6(9). She then dropped a 6-1, 6-1 outcome to Kansas State's Veronika Kulhava.
Sarah Millard took the opening set against Iowa's Nikita Vishwase, but ultimately fell in three by a score of 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Millard then dropped a consolation match to Saniya Singh of Tulsa, 6-2, 6-4.
In the singles B draw, A-State earned a pair of wins. Ariadna Fernandez defeated Cassie Cervantes of Oral Roberts 6-4, 7-5, while Loles Carbo Chova won a 6-3, 6-3 decision over ORU's Annelise Deer. Abigail Thurmer dropped a 6-2, 6-3 match to Sarah Hartel of Missouri.
The doubles main draw begins Thursday, with Fernandez and Thurmer opening up against Nebraska's Lucy Loy and Ana Carmen Zamburek at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., Cvanciger and Anna Grigoreva will face off against another Nebraska pair in Reya Coe and Emma Rizzetto, while Millard and Muro Castellvi will take on Nicolly Ferreira and Aryn Walker of Saint Louis.
Grigoreva begins singles play at 2 p.m. in the main draw against Alice Amendola of host Memphis.
A-STATE AT THE ITA CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Oct. 9, 2024 – Memphis, Tenn.
SINGLES QUALIFYING DRAW – ROUND 1
Lily Cvanciger def. Jimena Gomez (Arkansas) 6-7(4), 7-6(9), 7-6(9)
Carla Muro Castellvi def. Lilitha Ndungane (Arkansas) 7-6(2), 6-3
Nikita Vishwase (Iowa) def. Sarah Millard 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
SINGLES QUALIFYING DRAW – ROUND 2
Carla Muro Castellvi def. Sofia Pinto (Minnesota) 6-2, 6-2
Veronika Kulhava (Kansas State) def. Lily Cvanciger 6-1, 6-1
SINGLES QUALIFYING CONSOLATION DRAW
Saniya Singh (Tulsa) def. Sarah Millard 6-2, 6-4
SINGLES – B DRAW
Ariadna Fernandez def. Cassie Cervantes (Oral Roberts) 6-4, 7-5
Loles Carbo Chova def. Annelise Deer (Oral Roberts) 6-3, 6-3
Sarah Hartel (Missouri) def. Abigail Thurmer 6-2, 6-3
