LOS ANGELES (Nov. 8, 2024) – Washington State junior Eva Alvarez Sande dropped a close quarterfinal match but still has a chance to reach the NCAA Championship tournament following the second day of play at the 2024 ITA Sectional Championships Friday at Marks Stadium on the USC campus.
Alvarez Sande faced UCLA’s Elise Wagle in the quarterfinals after Wagle had defeated the tournament’s top seed in the previous round. In a back-and-forth match, Wagle captured a late break of serve to win the first set, 6-4. In the second, Alvarez Sande returned the favor by breaking Wagle to win 6-3, forcing a deciding third set.
In the third, Alvarez Sande battled back from a 3-5 deficit to even the match at 5-5. After each player held serve, and Alvarez Sande held off two match points, it went to a tiebreaker to decide the match. Wagle jumped out quick and led throughout, leading 6-3. Alvarez Sande again fought off two more match points but couldn’t find a third as Wagle closed out the 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory, earning a spot in the semifinals and the place in the NCAA Championship draw later this month.
Despite the loss, Alvarez Sande still has an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championships as six players from the draw advance. She will face USC’s Grace Piper Saturday morning with the winner earning a spot in the championship.
In doubles action, Alvarez Sande and Maxine Murphy faced the No. 3-seeded team of Anna-Marie Weissheim and Amelia Honor of UC Santa Barbara. The UCSB duo proved too strong as they posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over the Cougar pair.
Alvarez Sande’s final day at the ITA Sectional Championships begins Saturday at 9 a.m. against Piper.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Washington State University Athletics…