Mizzou Tennis Shines at Penn Invitational

The University of Missouri tennis team showcased their talent and determination at the prestigious Penn Invitational, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of two days, the Tigers captured an impressive 11 team victories, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the collegiate tennis circuit.

Mizzou Tigers Dominate the Competition

Doubles Dominance

The Tigers started the day with a strong performance in the doubles matches, with the graduate student and freshman duo of Lailaa Bashir and Gian Octa securing an 8-4 victory over Pennsylvania's Tkachenko and Stojanovski in the No. 2 spot. This early success set the tone for the rest of the day, as the Tigers continued to showcase their prowess on the court.

Singles Showdown

In the singles matches, the Tigers continued to impress, capturing five individual wins throughout the day. Senior Inah Canete secured a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Syracuse's Miyuka Kimoto, who is currently ranked No. 24 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) preseason rankings. This impressive win highlighted Canete's ability to rise to the occasion and compete at the highest level.Bashir and Octa also shone in their singles matches, with Bashir defeating St. Joseph's Tracey 6-2, 6-3 in the No. 3 slot, and Octa securing a three-set victory over St. Joseph's Tang in the No. 4 spot, winning 4-6, 6-1, 10-7. Octa's resilience and determination were on full display as she battled back from a first-set deficit to claim the hard-fought victory.

Continued Improvement

Head Coach Bianca Turati expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "Really satisfied about the level we displayed today, especially with doubles against Penn this morning and in singles against Syracuse in the afternoon. Great win for Inah against the number 24 ranked player in the country Miyuka Kimoto. Another good day where the team showed some improvement."The Tigers' impressive showing at the Penn Invitational is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the exceptional coaching they receive from Turati and her staff. As the team looks ahead to the ITA Regional Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 9-14, they will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence and eager to continue their winning ways.