The University of Chicago women’s tennis team saw its remarkable winning streak come to an end with a narrow 4-3 loss to No. 10 Washington University in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The defeat marks the Maroons’ first loss to a Division III opponent since March 3, 2024, ending a 33-match win streak. It is also their first non-championship loss since February 28, 2020.
The match opened with doubles play, where WashU took the early lead with a 6-2 win at the No. 1 position. UChicago quickly responded as Sylwia Mikos and Shianna Guo claimed a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles. The decisive third doubles match came down to a tight finish. Lauren Khou and Erica Ekstrand fought back to even the score at 5-5, but WashU secured a crucial service break and took the match 7-5, earning the opening point.
In singles action, UChicago turned the tide. Clara Zou dominated her opponent with a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles, while Nicole Geller rebounded from an early deficit to earn a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles, giving the Maroons a 2-1 lead.
WashU leveled the score at 2-2 with a win at No. 1 singles. The remaining matches were all extended three-set battles, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
At No. 6 singles, UChicago’s Oliwia Mikos won the opening set 7-5 but dropped the next two 6-3, 6-1, putting WashU back on top. Meanwhile, Sylwia Mikos staged a thrilling comeback at No. 2 singles. After taking the first set 6-2 and losing the second 6-0, she fell behind 5-2 in the third. Facing match points, Mikos saved both and pushed the match into a tiebreak. Down 4-1 in the breaker, she stormed back to win 7-5, tying the overall match at 3-3.
The deciding match at No. 4 singles featured Serena Biria, who took the first set 6-4. WashU’s player bounced back to win the second 6-2. In the third set, the Bears gained an early advantage and served for the match at 5-4. Biria saved two match points to tie it at 5-5, but WashU eventually broke and held to clinch the match 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, sealing the team win.
Despite the loss, UChicago ends an exceptional season with a 22-2 record. The senior class graduates with an incredible 90-6 career dual match record over four seasons.
The season isn’t over for all, though. Sylwia and Oliwia Mikos will compete in the Doubles National Championships, while Sylwia Mikos and Erica Ekstrand will take part in the Singles National Championships. Those events are set to begin Saturday, May 25, and run through Tuesday, May 28.
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