Georgia Tech's women's tennis team made a strong showing at the ITA Sectional Championships, with their doubles team of Alejandra Cruz and Given Roach securing a spot in the semifinals. The elite tournament, hosted at the University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Complex, saw the Jackets' duo overcome a tough challenge from Tennessee's Leyla Britez and Vanesa Suarez to clinch a straight-set victory and progress to the next round.

Powering Through the Quarterfinals

Doubles Dominance

The doubles action on day two of the tournament pitted the Jackets' Cruz and Roach against Tennessee's Britez and Suarez in the quarterfinals. Despite an early setback, where the Jackets were broken in their first service game, allowing Tennessee to take a 2-0 lead, Cruz and Roach quickly regained their composure and won the next three games to take a 3-2 advantage. The teams traded games, keeping the set on serve at 5-5, before Tennessee held to take a 6-5 lead. However, the Jackets held in the next game, forcing a tiebreaker to decide the first set. After Tennessee won the opening point, Cruz and Roach rattled off seven consecutive points to clinch the first set 7-6 (7-1).Carrying the momentum from their first-set triumph, Cruz and Roach dominated the second set, quickly opening a commanding lead. After the teams traded the first two games, the Jackets captured the next four games to hold a 5-1 advantage. Tennessee staged a late rally, winning the next two games to make it 5-3, but Cruz sealed the match with a service hold, securing a 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory and a spot in the semifinals on Saturday.

Consolation Bracket Success

In the back draw of doubles, the Jackets' Kate Sharabura and Scarlett Nicholson also found success, picking up a 2-6, 6-3, 10-7 decision over Tulane's Leigh Van Zyl and Campbell Ricci to advance to the semifinals on Saturday.

Singles Showdown

In singles action, Tech had Sharabura and Cruz competing in the consolation bracket. Sharabura secured a hard-fought three-set victory over Mississippi's Rachel Krzyzak, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, to reach the quarterfinals, where she faced Elim Yan of Tennessee. The senior continued her impressive run, downing Yan in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, and will now compete in the consolation semifinals on Saturday. Unfortunately, Cruz fell in the consolation first round to Sophia Biolay of UCF, 6-3, 6-3.

Looking Ahead

The action continues on Saturday, with the semifinals of both singles and doubles, as well as the consolation matches. The Jackets will be represented in the doubles semifinals, where Cruz and Roach will face off against Vanderbilt's Bridget Stammel and Valeria Ray. In the consolation singles semifinals, Sharabura will take on Florida's Talia Neilson-Gatenby.The strong performances by the Jackets' players at the ITA Sectional Championships showcase the depth and talent within the Georgia Tech women's tennis program. As they look to the semifinals and beyond, the team will undoubtedly be aiming to build on their success and make a deep run in this prestigious tournament.