Thursday, November 7
Ann Arbor, Mich.
TCU
vs
ITA Sectionals
Otway and Pascual Qualify for NCAA Championships
11/10/2024 7:20:00 PM | Women's Tennis
This marks the program's first appearance at the NCAA Championships in five years.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jade Otway and Isabel Pascual of the TCU women's tennis team finished third in the doubles draw at ITA Sectionals this weekend, earning a spot in the NCAA Individual Doubles Championships.
"Jade and Isa are so deserving of this opportunity," said head coach Lee Taylor Walker. "They've been knocking on the door all year at every tournament they've played. From the beginning of the fall, they've put in the extra work to improve and put themselves in the best position for Nationals."
The No. 12 ranked doubles team in the country dominated the round of 16, defeating Maria Santos and Maralgoo Chogsomjav (Kansas State) in two sets: 6-1, 6-3. In the quarterfinals, Otway and Pascual took on a familiar foe in Texas Tech, defeating Yekaterina Dmitrichenko and Andreaa Lila in a three-set thriller (6-3, 2-6, 11-9).
However, the duo fell to Michigan's Lily Jones and Jessica Bernales in the semifinals (1-6, 3-6) and had just one more opportunity to qualify for NCAAs in the third-place playoff.
Otway and Pascual took on Northwestern's Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Britany Lau with a trip to Waco on the line. They opened up with a strong first set, winning 6-4.
However, the pair went down 4-1 to start the second set before battling back and tying it at 6-6. They earned the match point after a 7-1 tiebreaker that put them on top, 7-6.
"The result today is a testament to their resilience and mental toughness. Today's match had many ups and downs, but all throughout, Isa and Jade had great focus, composure, and positivity," Walker reflects. "These two have been great leaders on and off the court and this is such a wonderful moment to share with them."
The seniors have tallied a 9-4 doubles record this fall with a finals appearance at Battle in the Bay and a semifinals appearance at ITA Regionals. After a successful few months, they will make their NCAA debut on Nov. 20.
"It was such a fun week in Michigan," said Pascual. "To earn another opportunity to keep representing the school at Nationals means a lot. It gives us confidence to keep improving and taking the program where we want to."
This marks the program's first NCAA Individual Championship appearance since 2019 and the first doubles appearance since 2017.
"It was an incredible feeling to qualify to the NCAA Championships with Isa," said Otway. "We've had a really successful fall so to end it at the NCAA Championships is a fantastic opportunity. We always have so much fun on the doubles court and I can't wait for that to carry over to the spring season. We really felt the love from everyone during the last few days and couldn't be more proud to be representing TCU."
Jade and Isa have competed against some of the top talent in the country this fall with wins over the No. 9 and No. 43 ranked doubles teams in the country. Now, they will have the opportunity to play against the best at NCAAs.
"Last fall, Jade wasn't able to compete much due to an injury, and two years ago, Isa missed the whole season due to injury," said Walker. "For them, as seniors, to play a complete fall season, and earn their way to the NCAA Championships is just a remarkable story and I'm so proud of them."
The NCAA Championships will take place close by in Waco, Texas with the women's doubles round of 32 beginning on Nov. 20. The doubles championship will take place on Nov. 24.
The singles and doubles brackets will be revealed on Saturday, Nov. 16 on NCAA.com. Individuals will compete in 64-player singles and 32-team doubles tournaments, with Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center as the hosting site.
More information on NCAA Championships can be found here.
"Jade and Isa are so deserving of this opportunity," said head coach Lee Taylor Walker. "They've been knocking on the door all year at every tournament they've played. From the beginning of the fall, they've put in the extra work to improve and put themselves in the best position for Nationals."
The No. 12 ranked doubles team in the country dominated the round of 16, defeating Maria Santos and Maralgoo Chogsomjav (Kansas State) in two sets: 6-1, 6-3. In the quarterfinals, Otway and Pascual took on a familiar foe in Texas Tech, defeating Yekaterina Dmitrichenko and Andreaa Lila in a three-set thriller (6-3, 2-6, 11-9).
However, the duo fell to Michigan's Lily Jones and Jessica Bernales in the semifinals (1-6, 3-6) and had just one more opportunity to qualify for NCAAs in the third-place playoff.
Otway and Pascual took on Northwestern's Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Britany Lau with a trip to Waco on the line. They opened up with a strong first set, winning 6-4.
Jade and Isa convert on the fourth set point and take the first set, 6-4!!!#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/SX7pzfsRYh
— TCU Women's Tennis (@TCUWomensTennis) November 10, 2024
However, the pair went down 4-1 to start the second set before battling back and tying it at 6-6. They earned the match point after a 7-1 tiebreaker that put them on top, 7-6.
"The result today is a testament to their resilience and mental toughness. Today's match had many ups and downs, but all throughout, Isa and Jade had great focus, composure, and positivity," Walker reflects. "These two have been great leaders on and off the court and this is such a wonderful moment to share with them."
¡VAMOS!
— TCU Women's Tennis (@TCUWomensTennis) November 10, 2024
Jade and Isa are NCAA bound 🤩#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/yJXJwe6vZA
The seniors have tallied a 9-4 doubles record this fall with a finals appearance at Battle in the Bay and a semifinals appearance at ITA Regionals. After a successful few months, they will make their NCAA debut on Nov. 20.
"It was such a fun week in Michigan," said Pascual. "To earn another opportunity to keep representing the school at Nationals means a lot. It gives us confidence to keep improving and taking the program where we want to."
This marks the program's first NCAA Individual Championship appearance since 2019 and the first doubles appearance since 2017.
"It was an incredible feeling to qualify to the NCAA Championships with Isa," said Otway. "We've had a really successful fall so to end it at the NCAA Championships is a fantastic opportunity. We always have so much fun on the doubles court and I can't wait for that to carry over to the spring season. We really felt the love from everyone during the last few days and couldn't be more proud to be representing TCU."
See you in Waco 🤭#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/GwgbpzAcdu
— TCU Women's Tennis (@TCUWomensTennis) November 10, 2024
Jade and Isa have competed against some of the top talent in the country this fall with wins over the No. 9 and No. 43 ranked doubles teams in the country. Now, they will have the opportunity to play against the best at NCAAs.
"Last fall, Jade wasn't able to compete much due to an injury, and two years ago, Isa missed the whole season due to injury," said Walker. "For them, as seniors, to play a complete fall season, and earn their way to the NCAA Championships is just a remarkable story and I'm so proud of them."
The NCAA Championships will take place close by in Waco, Texas with the women's doubles round of 32 beginning on Nov. 20. The doubles championship will take place on Nov. 24.
The singles and doubles brackets will be revealed on Saturday, Nov. 16 on NCAA.com. Individuals will compete in 64-player singles and 32-team doubles tournaments, with Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center as the hosting site.
More information on NCAA Championships can be found here.
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