Mizzou tennis continued to build momentum under first-year head coach Robin Goodman, finishing the ITA Central Regional Championship with 17 wins across three days of competition in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Tigers found success in both singles and doubles, with sophomore Alex Ackman and several freshmen leading the way throughout the tournament. Mizzou opened competition Thursday, Oct. 15, with 11 victories, including a perfect 4-0 record in doubles play.

“Another great tournament for us,” Goodman said. “Really proud of the way these girls fight and their willingness to support one another. We are learning what it takes to win at the next level.”

Ackman and freshman Daria Budko led the Tigers during the opening day of singles competition. Ackman defeated Iowa’s Shuqian Xu 6-1, 6-4 before rallying past Tulsa’s Lilitha Sithenkosi Ndungane in three sets to advance. Budko also secured two victories, defeating Arkansas State’s Helena Bueno 6-0, 6-3 and Missouri State’s Marielou Baudouin 6-2, 6-2.

Freshmen Leticia Bazán, Alba Salles Canudas and Mariana Higuita Barraza added victories in qualifying and consolation draws. Mizzou also swept its four doubles matches, with Ackman and Higuita Barraza earning the most decisive victory at 8-1 against Kansas State.

Mizzou carried its momentum into Friday, adding six victories to its total. Ackman continued her run in the singles main draw with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Wichita State’s Giorgia Roselli, while freshman Danielle Chapman made an impressive tournament debut by defeating Iowa’s Emerey Gross in three sets, 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-1.

Bazán, Higuita Barraza and Salles Canudas each earned additional singles victories in the C draw. Chapman and freshman Irina Anghel also advanced in doubles with an 8-4 win against Kansas State before falling in the round of 16 to Kansas.

Saturday brought a tougher finish for the Tigers as Ackman and Chapman both fell in three-set matches in the singles main draw’s round of 32. Ackman lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to Oklahoma State’s Veronika Kliuch, while Chapman fell 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-0 to Nebraska’s Katie Spencer.

Anghel advanced in the consolation bracket after her opponent retired because of an injury, giving Mizzou another victory on the tournament’s final day.

Despite the challenges late in the tournament, Goodman was encouraged by the team’s competitive effort and continued development. The Tigers’ performance included contributions from both experienced players and newcomers as they continue adjusting to the demands of college tennis.

“We need to continue to push ourselves through adversity and remain positive no matter the situation,” Goodman said. “We are learning this quickly.”

Mizzou’s positive record at the regional provides another opportunity for the program to build on its progress under Goodman and her staff. The Tigers will look to carry that momentum into their next tournament.

Mizzou will compete at the Jae Foundation Invite, hosted by TCU, from Oct. 22-24 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tiger Top Spin will be back next Monday and Columns and Courts will be back Wednesday previewing the Jae Foundation Invite.