Spring Preview: Women’s Tennis – Texas A&M Athletics

21-22 In revision

The Maroon & White entered the 2021-22 campaign ranked No. 14 in the ITA preseason rankings, and were ranked second in the SEC by the league’s coaches. The Aggies posted a program-best overall record of 33-2, 27-1 in the regular season and 13-0 in SEC play.

Texas A&M remained undefeated against league foes as it required tough battles in the SEC Tournament against Vanderbilt (4-2) and Florida (4-3) to earn a spot in the championship game.

Replicating the 2021 final, the Aggies faced defending champion No.3 Georgia. The opening pair of Jayce Goldsmith and Tatiana Makarova defeated Morgan Coppoc and Ania Hertel 6-4, and Carson Branstine with partner Mary Stoiana defeated Mell Reasco and Meg Kowalski 6-3. Locking up the tournament title for the Aggies were Makarova, Goldsmith and Stoiana, who defeated their opponents in singles play to secure the first SEC Tournament title in program history.

After going undefeated in SEC play and winning the SEC Tournament, the Aggies entered the NCAA Championships as the 7th seed. The Maroon & White beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-0 and Baylor 4-1 at the Mitchell Tennis Center to start NCAA play. Staying at home in the Super Regional, the Aggies faced an SEC rival for a spot in the Elite Eight. A&M beat Vanderbilt for the third time on the season and again turned in a dominant performance against the Commodores in a 4-0 sweep.

The Aggies’ magical run ended in Urbana, Illinois, with a loss to No. 2 Oklahoma in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. A&M battled back to drop early doubles as Stoiana, Goldsmith and Gianna Pielet gave A&M a chance, but in the end the Aggies fell short, falling 4-3 and ending their historic 2021-22 campaign.

The trio of Branstine, Goldsmith and Makarova received ITA All-American recognition. Branstine finished with a 17-9 overall singles record, including a 14-7 mark against nationally ranked opponents. Goldsmith and Makarova earned their second All-America honor as a tandem and finished the 2021-22 campaign 35-7, including a 15-5 record.