Missouri tennis competed in the 2021 Milwaukee Tennis Classic from Sept. 18-20 for the first time in school history. The Tigers went 10-6 in the tournament.
The Tigers entered the tournament with three main draw spots for senior Bronte Murgett and graduate students Marta Oliveira and Ellie Wright. Junior Gabriela Martinez was placed on the alternate list.
Missouri started the tournament with Murgett and Oliveria defeating Navy senior Kacey Moore and junior Jillian Taggart 7-6 to advance to the doubles quarterfinals. The duo defeated Ole Miss freshman Ludmila Kareisová and senior Sabina Machalova 6-4 on Sept. 20 in the quarterfinals. However, after a tough battle to stay in the competition, they fell 6-2 to North Carolina sophomores, Reilly Tran and Fiona Crawley.
Murgett and Oliveira’s semifinal run in Milwaukee gave viewers a preview of what to expect for the upcoming ITA Women’s All-American Championships. They are the first Missouri doubles pair in Tiger history to receive an invite to the championships, and went 9-5 during the 2020-21 season.
In the round of 16, Wright and Martinez fell to Tran and Crawley 7-5.
In the singles competition, Wright beat Moore 6-4 and 6-2 in the round of 32. However, Crawley knocked off Wright in the next round, 6-3 and 7-6. After losing in their singles round of 32 matches, Oliveira and Murgett came back to win their consolation matches.
Oliviera topped Wisconsin senior Ava Markham 6-3 and 6-2, and she went to the back draw finals to win against Oklahoma freshman Emma Staker 6-2, 1-6 and 11-9. Murgett then knocked off Marquette sophomore Emilija Kojcic 6-2.
“I’m really proud of the effort, grit and energy these teammates put out on the court together,” coach Chris Wootton said in the post match press release.
Other teams invited to the tournament were Indiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Southern California, North Texas, Portland, South Carolina and Miami (Ohio).
Missouri will compete in the ITA Women’s All-American Championships from Oct. 4-10 in Charleston, South Carolina.
