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Penn women’s Tennis Clinches Key Victory Over Brown, Eyes Ivy League Crown
PHILADELPHIA— The University of Pennsylvania women’s tennis team solidified its position in the Ivy League standings with a decisive 4-2 victory over Brown University earlier today at the Hamlin Tennis Center. The Quakers’ triumph, coupled with Harvard’s win against No. 69 Columbia and Princeton’s defeat of No. 70 Yale, propelled Penn into sole possession of second place in the conference.The quakers now stand at an impressive 11-9 overall for the season and boast a 4-2 record in Ivy League play, positioning them as a strong contender for the conference title and a potential berth in the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship.The match unfolded with dramatic swings in momentum. Brown initially seized the lead by winning two consecutive doubles matches, securing the first team point. However, Penn responded with impressive resilience in singles play. Gavriella Smith quickly leveled the score, needing only an hour to dominate her match in straight sets.
No. 110-ranked Esha Velaga followed suit minutes later,securing Penn’s second point and giving the Quakers a 2-1 advantage. Brown’s Daniella Ben-Abraham briefly closed the gap once more, winning her match to tie the score at 2-2.
The tension in the Hamlin Tennis Center was palpable as the remaining matches reached their critical stages. No. 69 Sabine rutlauka demonstrated remarkable composure, staging a comeback in the second set to win her match and bring Penn within a single point of victory.
The clinching moment arrived courtesy of Maya Urata, playing in the sixth spot. Urata engineered a stunning comeback win, securing the fourth and decisive point for Penn. “It was an unbelievable feeling to clinch the match for the team,” Urata saeid, reflecting on her performance. “We knew Brown would be a tough opponent, and everyone fought so hard today.”
The victory comes at a crucial juncture in Penn’s season. As the Ivy League regular season nears its conclusion,every match carries significant weight in determining the conference standings and NCAA tournament aspirations. The quakers have demonstrated a notable improvement in their performance this season, attributed to strategic recruiting efforts and the rigorous training regimen implemented by Coach Sanela Kunovac.
“this win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” Coach Kunovac stated. “We faced some adversity early on, but the players showed incredible resilience and mental toughness to turn things around. We’re proud of their performance and excited for the challenges ahead.”
The implications of this victory extend beyond the immediate standings. A strong showing in the Ivy League tournament can significantly boost Penn’s national ranking, increasing their chances of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship, even if they don’t secure the automatic qualifier. This would mark a significant milestone for the program, which has been steadily building momentum in recent years.
Though, some critics argue that Penn’s reliance on a few star players may make them vulnerable against teams with greater depth. While Velaga and Rutlauka have consistently delivered strong performances, the team’s overall success hinges on the ability of othre players to contribute consistently. This is where the team has been working on in practise and individual lessons with Coach Kunovac.
Looking ahead,the Quakers are set to close out their regular season with a crucial match against No. 70 Yale tomorrow afternoon. A victory against the Bulldogs would further solidify their position in the Ivy League standings and enhance their NCAA tournament prospects.
Penn vs. No. 70 Yale (12-9, 3-3)
Sunday, April 20, 2025 | 1 p.m.
hamlin/Hecht Tennis Centers | Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch | Live Scoring
For the latest on Penn women’s tennis, follow @PennWomensTennis on Instagram, @PennWTennis on X (formerly Twitter), and on the web at PennAthletics.com.
#FightOnPenn
Match Results:
Final: Penn 4, Brown 2
Doubles:
- Addison Ahlstrom/Lindsey hofflander (B) def. Sabine Rutlauka/Eileen wang (P), 6-2
- Lara Stojanovski/Gavriella Smith (P) vs. Daniella Ben-Abraham/Isabella Hu (B), 4-4 DNF
- anne Moody/Ali Maguy (B) def. Maya Urata/Esha Velaga (P), 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 3
Singles:
- no. 110 Esha Velaga (P) def. Gabriella Soliman (B), 6-1, 6-3
- No.69 Sabine Rutlauka (P) def. Addison Ahlstrom (B), 6-4, 7-5
- Hannah Shen (B) led Lara Stojanovski (P), 3-6, 6-4, 2-1 DNF
- Daniella Ben-Abraham (B) def. Eileen Wang (P), 6-2, 6-2
- Gavriella Smith (P) def. Anne Yang (B), 6-1, 6-2
- Maya Urata (P) def.Ali Maguy (B), 7-6 (8-6), 6-0
Order of Finish: 5, 1, 4, 2, 6
FAQ: Penn Women’s Tennis
Q: What is the importance of this win for Penn Women’s Tennis?
A: This victory propels Penn into sole possession of second place in the Ivy League and significantly improves their chances of qualifying for the NCAA Women’s tennis Championship.
Q: Who were the standout performers in the match against Brown?
A: esha velaga, Sabine Rutlauka, Gavriella Smith, and Maya Urata all secured crucial singles victories for Penn.
Q: When and where is Penn’s next match?
A: Penn will face No. 70 Yale on Sunday, april 20, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the hamlin/Hecht Tennis Centers in Philadelphia.Q: How can I watch the Penn vs. Yale match?
A: the match will be streamed online, and live scoring will be available. See above for links.
Q: What are Penn’s chances of making the NCAA tournament?
A: A strong finish to the season, including a win against Yale, would greatly enhance Penn’s chances of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
