NORMAN, Okla. — No. 34 Wichita State saw its season come to a close in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 4-1 loss to No. 26 SMU on Saturday at the Headington Family Tennis Center.
SMU (16-7) advances to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on Sunday with the win over the Shockers (21-5).
In doubles, Wichita State struck first as
Anne Knuettel and
Vichitraporn Vimuktananda earned a 6-3 win at No. 3 to give the Shockers an early edge.
SMU responded with a 6-3 win over
Xin Tong Wang and
Giorgia Roselli at No. 1, sending the doubles point to be decided at No. 2.
At No. 2,
Kristina Kudryavtseva and
Theodora Chantava jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but SMU answered with four straight games to take a 4-3 advantage. The Shockers regained a 5-4 lead but dropped the final three games, falling 7-5 as SMU secured the doubles point.
In singles, the teams split the six first sets.
SMU claimed the first singles point with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kudryavtseva at No. 5 to take a 2-0 lead.
Vimuktananda answered for Wichita State with a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 4, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Mustangs moved within one point of victory with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Chantava at No. 3.
SMU clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Wang at No. 1, ending Wichita State's season.
It was an incredibly successful season for the Shockers, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 and finished as American Conference runner-up. Wichita State was ranked as high as No. 24 and set a program record with 19 consecutive wins.
