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OVERLAND PARK, Ks. – Signifying the start to the entire ITA National Team Indoor Championship season, the opening day of the NAIA Men’s and Women’s National Team Indoor Championships did not disappoint, delivering many highly-contested matches throughout the morning and afternoon.
Beginning in the morning hours of the day, the top seed on the men’s side of play, Georgia Gwinnett, showcased their ever present firepower against Coastal Georgia as the Grizzlies cruised to a 4-0 victory in the opening round. As runners-up in 2023, Georgia Gwinnett has their sights set on lifting the national championship trophy this year.
In the other men’s morning match, first-time participants, Westcliff, found their stride in singles play after dropping the doubles point to Southeastern (Fla.). Earning singles victories from the No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 positions, the Warriors advance to tomorrow’s men’s semifinals where they will take on top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett.
Across the women’s morning matches, Georgia Gwinnett had another strong showing as they defeated eight-seeded William Woods 4-0 in today’s opening round match. The Grizzlies reached the finals in the 2023 ITA NAIA National Team Indoor Championships and are looking motivated to do the same once again this year.
In the second morning match, which carried well into the afternoon, fourth seeded Tennessee Wesleyan took down Ave Maria to move on to the semifinals. For Tennessee Wesleyan, they were able to take the doubles point and then win three singles matches from the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 positions to move on to play Georgia Gwinnett tomorrow.
Moving on to the men’s afternoon matches, it was second seeded Tennessee Wesleyan that went head to head against seventh seed Xavier (La.). The Bulldogs got off to a slow start, dropping the doubles point before rebounding back to get the wins in singles on No. 2, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6. Tennessee Wesleyan will face Northwestern Ohio tomorrow in the semifinals.
In the final men’s afternoon match, Northwestern Ohio came from behind in a thriller to get the 4-2 win over William Woods. The Racers fell in doubles before climbing back in singles with Daniel Vishnick clinching the match at No. 2 singles, 7-5, 1-6, 6-0.
Heading to the final women’s matches of the day, Southeastern (Fl.) faced off against William Carey while Xavier (La.) took on St. Thomas (Fl.). Xavier finished first, defeating St. Thomas in a straightforward 4-0 manner to book their ticket to the semifinals. Despite several close matches, Southeastern rounded out the day with a win over William Carey.
Semifinal play resumes tomorrow from the Overland Park Racquet Club in Overland Park, Kansas. For the men, the semifinals will be played at 8 am (CST) and 3 pm (CST), while for the women, they will play their semifinal matches at 11:30 am (CST) and 6:30 pm (CST). Fans can follow all of the action right here on the ITA website or on the ITA social media channels (@ITA_Tennis on Instagram and X).
Day One Results – Men
No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett def No. 8 Coastal Georgia 4-0 (Box Score)
No. 5 Westcliff def. No. 4 Southeastern 4-2 (Box Score)
No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan def. No. 7 Xavier (La.) 4-2 (Box Score)
No. 3 Northwestern Ohio def No. 6 William Woods 4-2 (Box Score)
Day One Results – Women
No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett def No. 8 William Woods 4-0 (Box Score)
No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan def No. 5 Ave Maria 4-1 (Box Score)
No. 2 Southeastern def No. 7 William Carey 4-1 (Box Score)
No. 3 Xavier (La.) def No. 6 St. Thomas 4-0 (Box Score)
