INDIANA, Pa. – The top-seeded IUP women's tennis program (12-8, 6-0 PSAC) return to Bloomsburg University, looking for a fourth consecutive conference championship on May 3-4.
IUP earned a bye to the semifinals after winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West regular season crown. It was the fourth consecutive regular season divisional title for IUP, which faced West Chester in the PSAC Semifinals on Friday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m.
West Chester, the number two seed in the PSAC East, defeated Bloomsburg earlier this week to secure its spot in the PSAC Final Four. The winner of the IUP/West Chester match plays the winner of the Millersville/Slippery Rock match on Saturday (May 4) at 1:00 p.m.
ITA RANKINGS
National Team Ranking: IUP (No. 49)
National Doubles:
Ming Deewajee,
Dani Ramos (No. 41)
IUP NOTES
>> IUP is making the program's 18th all-time PSAC tournament appearance, including its 13th straight dating back to 2011.
>> The Hawks are seeking their fourth straight and sixth conference title since 2017. IUP made nine straight appearances in the championship match, finishing as runners-up each year from 2011-16 before winning conference titles in 2017, 2018 and 2022.
>> IUP finished the season strong, going undefeated in conference matches while securing the program's fourth consecutive PSAC West regular season crown.
>> With an overall record of 12-8, the Crimson Hawks challenged themselves against some of the nation's top competition down in Florida over spring break.
>> IUP has held steady at number two in the 2024 NCAA DII Atlantic Region rankings, including in the latest listing earlier this week.
>> IUP is looking to become just the fourth team in PSAC women's tennis history to win four straight PSAC titles.
>> The Hawks are anchored by a pair of experienced seniors in
Katy Graydon and
Lydia Vlachou, both among the top 10 in program history in combined victories. Graydon is two wins shy of 150 in her IUP career, while Vlachou can move into sole possession of 10th on the IUP combined wins list this weekend.
>>
Ming Deewajee and
Dani Ramos finish out the regular season ranked 41st nationally as IUP's top doubles pairing. The duo have combined to go 22-11 overall with six consecutive victories to round out the regular season.
>>
Hannah Beitat has been productive across the board in singles and doubles play during her first collegiate season with the Crimson Hawks. Tied for the longest winning streak of singles matches on the team, Beitat has won eight straight and boasts 36 combined wins in 2023-24.
>>
Veronica Sirci,
Alexis Cramer and
Lina Teleshun have all rotated in singles and doubles play throughout the season. Sirci has played in doubles with Beitat over the last few weeks, while Cramer and Teleshun have primarily been contributors in the IUP singles portion of the lineup.
Consecutive PSAC Titles – Women's Tennis
>> California (Pa.) – 10 (2007-16)
>> Clarion – 5 (1986-90)
>> Millersville – 4 (1998-2002; shared championships in 1998 and 1999 with Bloomsburg)
>> Bloomsburg – 3 (2004-06)
>> IUP – 3 (2021-23; 2021 championship match not played due to COVID-19)
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Singles Records
Singles Victories – Career
5. 72 - Ranvita Mahto (2010-14)
72 - Jarka Petercakova (2015-18)
7. 70 - Sophie Butland (2013-17)
70 - Rachel Wood (2013-17)
9. 67 - Yvonne Niederbracht (2000-02, 03-05)
10. 66 -
Katy Graydon (2020-24)
11. 64 - Katya Minchenkova (2016-20)
12. 62 - Raquel Gonzalez (2014-17)
13. 61 -
Lydia Vlachou (2020-24)
14. 60 -
Karolin Kirchtag (2020-23)
Doubles Records
Doubles Victories – Season
23. 23 -
Katy Graydon (2022-23)
23 - Emilia Osborne (2009-10)
23 - Tabtip Louhabanjong (2010-11)
23 - Abby McCormick (2012-13)
23 - Alanna McFail (2012-13)
28. 22 –
Ming Deewajee (2023-24); 22-
Dani Ramos (2023-24)
Doubles Victories – Career
5. 91 - Katie Eaton (2009-13)
6. 82 –
Katy Graydon (2020-24)
7. 78 - Rachel Wood (2013-17)
8. 74 - Alanna McFail (2012-16)
9. 72 - Sophie Butland (2013-17)
10. 68 - Erika Schnaas (2010-14); 68 –
Lydia Vlachou (2020-24)
12. 65 - Jackie Kulp (2000-04); 65 - Katya Minchenkova (2016-20)
Combined Victories – Career
5. 165 – Jarka Petercakova (2015-18)
6.
146 – Katy Graydon (2020-24); 148 – Rachel Wood (2013-17)
8. 142 – Sophie Butland (2013-17)
9. 130 – Yvonne Niederbracht (2000-02, 03-05)
10.
129 – Lydia Vlachou (2020-24); 129 – Katya Minchenkova (2016-20)
