Bayerlova Cruises into Round of 16 at NCAA Championship

Bayerlova Cruises into Round of 16 at NCAA Championship
 
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (May 24, 2022) – Washington State’s Michaela Bayerlova became the first Cougar tennis player in program history to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 when she defeated Duke’s Chloe Beck, 7-5, 6-2, in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship, Tuesday afternoon at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex on the University of Illinois campus.
 
By reaching the Round of 16, Bayerlova will become the first Cougar to earn All-America status when the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announces its All-America list next month.
 
“It has been fun to watch Misa’s performance at the NCAA’s so far,” said WSU Head Coach Raquel Atawo. “Not only is she getting the wins, she is composing herself despite nerves and the emotions that high-level athletes experience, and still able to play some of her best tennis. It is so well deserved, after a year of hard work and dedication. Although we are still playing and looking forward to a long tournament, we couldn’t be prouder of Misa’s historical year as a Coug!”
 
Bayerlova, ranked No. 36, began strong, getting an early break to take a 3-1 lead over No. 9 Beck. WSU’s fifth-year senior was in control much of the first set, winning the majority of the baseline rallies. After Beck tied the match at 4-4, Bayerlova rallied from 15-40 down to win the final three points to earn her second break of the set and go up 5-4. Another break of serve gave Bayerlova a 6-5 lead before holding serve to close out the first set.
 
In the second set, Bayerlova started flexing her muscle, moving Beck around the court and controlling the points both at the baseline and the net. After Beck held the first game, Bayerlova ran off four-straight to take a commanding 4-1 lead. After Beck broke to cut the lead to 4-2, Bayerlova won eight of the final nine points to finishing the victory.
 
The win improved Bayerlova’s season record to 19-2 and marked the eighth time she has defeated a ranked opponent this season. As Beck entered the match ranked No. 9 nationally, the victory also matched the highest-ranked opponent she has defeated in her career. As a sophomore in 2019, Bayerlova defeated No. 9 Silvia Ambrosio of Purdue, 6-2, 6-1, in a dual match…