The semifinal was a top-three matchup with then-No. 2 North Carolina, and the Aggies battled as they earned the doubles point with two ranked wins. Branstine/Stoiana defeated No. 32 Reese Brantmeier/Elizabeth Scotty (6-1), and this was followed by Jayci Goldsmith/Salma Ewing topping No. 1 Fiona Crawley/Carson Tanguilig (6-3). The Aggies’ freshmen put on a good display with Daria Smetannikov defeating No. 18 Anika Yarlagadda (6-1, 2-6, 6-0), and Mia Kupres leading No. 12 Abbey Forbes (6-1, 6-7(3), 5-4) before the match was abandoned. The Tar Heels found their stride claiming four of the six singles points, ultimately beating the Aggies to end their tournament run (4-2).
The semifinal run from the Maroon & White was the furthest they have advanced in this tournament in program history, and they were bested by North Carolina who went on to win the championship.
“We had a great run in the ITA National Championships,” head coach Mark Weaver said. “We came away with some very good wins and came very close to bringing back a national championship.”
The Aggies’ performances did not go unnoticed as pairings Branstine/Stoiana, Ewing/Goldsmith and Smetannikov in singles were awarded All-Tournament Team honors.
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