The impressive fall season continued for Northwestern State in the UCA Invitational as Judit Castillo Gargallo, Ela Iwaniuk and Olivia Alfredsson all won their singles draws Saturday.
“I felt we had a solid tournament from all of our players,” head coach Patric DuBois said. “It was nice to have three singles and doubles championship in the end, but I’m most happy now everyone is committed to being better than they were the day before.”
Alfredsson remained perfect in fall play, as she won her draws in both singles and doubles. She was in flight No. 4 and cruised in the first round that was rained out Friday, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 over Harding’s Lindy Carpenter.
She had to go into the pro set to win in the semifinals and finals, coming from behind to defeat Jill Morse of Arkansas State after losing the first set 6-2. She won the last two 6-2 and 10-6 to move to the finals, where she once again won in a pro set. She came from behind to defeat Central Arkansas’ Mei Ishimura. After dropping the first set once again, she won 6-3 and 10-5 to win her draw.
Castillo Gargallo also won her semifinals and finals in pro sets at No. 6. After coming from behind to defeat UCA’s Paulina Engback, she defeated Arkansas State’s Amelia Guevremont 6-4, 1-6, 10-6.
Iwaniuk has continued a strong 2019 season into the fall, as she won the No. 2 draw in a pro set. After winning in the first round Friday, she beat Murray State’s Sara Loncarevic after dropping the first set 6-2. She won the next set 6-3 and a thrilling pro set 11-9. She followed that up with another win with an exhilarating 11-9 pro set victory.
Alfredsson and partner Mariella Minetti did work in doubles as well. The pair were perfect in the Natchitoches Women’s Care Lady Demon Invitational, and were again in Conway, winning in the semifinals and finals by identical 6-3 scores.
First, it was Murray State’s Samantha Muller and Marit Kreugel and then beating Arkansas State’s Amelia Guevremont and Jill Morse in the final in No. 3 doubles.
“We are all committed to doing things the right way all the time and improve so we are where we want to be in the end.”
After a week off next week, they pick up fall action Oct. 4 in Lafayette at the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational.
Saturdays results
Flight 1 Singles
Semifinals: Chunxi Xin (Central Arkansas) def. Mariella Minetti (Northwestern State) 6-3, 6-0
3rd place: Tatjana Stoll (Northeastern State) def. Mariella Minetti (NSU) 9-8 (5)
Flight 2 Singles
Semifinals: Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Sara Loncarevic (Murray State) 2-6, 6-3, 11-9
Championship: Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Ivana Babic (Oral Roberts) 6-2, 2-6, 11-9
Flight 3 Singles
First round: Patrycja Polanska (NSU) def. Lindy Carpenter (Harding) 6-3, 4-6, 10-6
Semifinals: Shannon O’Brien (Arkansas State) def. Patrycja Polanska (NSU) 6-2, 6-3
3rd place: Aliksandra Lebedeva (ORU) def. Patrycja Polanska (NSU) WD
Flight 4 Singles
First round: Olivia Alfredsson (NSU) def. Allison Carpenter (Harding) 6-3, 6-3
Semifinals: Olivia Alfredsson (NSU) def. Jill Morse (ASU) 2-6, 6-2, 10-6
Championship: Olivia Alfredsson (NSU) def. Mei Ishimura (UCA) 2-6, 6-3, 10-5
Flight 5 Singles
First round: Berta Masdevall (ASU) def. Emilija Dancetovic (NSU) 8-6
Consolation semifinals: Emilija Dancetovic (NSU) def. Chiara Carnelutti (Northeastern State) 8-4
5th place: Emilija Dancetovic (NSU) def. Susan Salinas (Missouri State) 8-3
Flight 6 Singles
Semifinals: Judit Castillo Gargallo (NSU) def. Paulina Engback (UCA) 2-6, 6-1, 10-6
Championship: Judit Castillo Gargallo (NSU) def. Amelia Guevremont (ASU) 6-4, 1-6, 10-6
Flight 1 Doubles
Semifinals: Emilija Dancetovic/Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Alye Darter/Ellie Burger (Missouri State) 6-4
Finals: Rylie Cox-Evans/Hana Folse (Harding) def. Emilija Dancetovic/Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) 7-5
Flight 2 Doubles
Semifinals: Judit Castillo Gargallo/Patrycja Polanska (NSU) def. Kristela Vidnere/Chiara Carnelutti (Northeastern State) 6-0
Championship: Yada Vasupongchai/Maja Gledic (UCA) def. Judit Castillo Gargallo/Patrycja Polanska (NSU) 7-5
Flight 3 Doubles
Semifinals: Olivia Alfredsson/Mariella Minetti (NSU) def. Samantha Muller/Marit Kreugel (Murray State) 6-3
Championship: Olivia Alfredsson/Mariella Minetti (NSU) def. Amelia Guevremont/Jill Morse (ASU) 6-3