SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Mississippi State is one of only four Southeastern Conference schools to have players competing in doubles at the ITA Fall National Championships this week.
Alexandra Mikhailuk and Athina Pitta will meet Parker Fry and Grace Piper of Southern California at 3:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
“This is a good opportunity for these two girls to play against some of the best players in the country,” head coach Chris Hooshyar said. “They get to test themselves and also to prove they belong! I love these events; Championship tennis is the best!”
MSU is among 27 programs that have players participating in doubles at the Barnes Tennis Center this week.
“Athina and I are so excited and so proud to represent the Bulldogs here in San Diego,” Mikhailuk said. “It means a lot since it’s my last year, and it’s also very special to get to do this with a freshman! We’ve been working hard all fall with the team, so it’s exciting to put it to the test!”
Mikhailuk and Pitta secured their bid to the ITA Fall National Championships by earning the ITA Southern Regional doubles title on Oct. 10. The duo defeated LSU’s tandem of Kinaa Graham and Anita Sahdiieva on their home court 1-6, 7-5, 10-5 in the final round.
With the win in the final round, Mikhailuk and Pitta became the first doubles tandem in program history to claim the ITA Southern Regional title.
“We have worked really hard all fall and I am really excited to compete again with Alexandra,” Pitta said. “As a freshman and a senior, it is really special how we have the opportunity to represent Mississippi State in the ITA Fall Nationals. I can’t wait to compete and keep making history with the Bulldogs.”
For more information on the Bulldog women’s tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for “HailStateWT” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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