Orlando, FL - The second day of competition at the NCAA Individuals began with a bang as Erica Ekstrand won her quarterfinal match in three sets. After a tough semifinal, Ekstrand fell to Tufts. However, Ekstrand bounced back in doubles with her partner Yuu Ishikawa, winning their quarterfinals match. Coach Anik Cepeda proudly notes, "I can just tell they are having a great time on court going after their shots, closing, and playing the style of doubles they know they can play."
To start off the day of matches for the Ephs, Ekstrand came out firing facing the number 8 seed from Babson, after taking out the 3 seed the previous day. Ekstrand's backhand cross and line were very sharp from the get-go, and she used her aggression to take the first set 6-1. The match turned much more competitive in the second set, as her opponent was able to keep the second set much closer. At 4-4, 40-0 on serve for Ekstrand, her opponent crawled back in the game to take the edge 5-4. Ekstrand broke her right back to make it 5-5. Unfortunately, her opponent grabbed the next two games, taking the second set 7-5. Onto the third set in the hot sun, Ekstrand came out loose and with a new gear of focus. The match felt much more comfortable for the Eph, as her shots were precise and fierce. Ekstrand played an incredible match, taking the quarterfinals with a 6-2 win in the third set. Cepeda has a similar reflection of the match, saying: "Erica gave another tremendous performance this morning — she came out on fire and then Olivia really stepped up her game in the second. It was amazing how quickly Erica regained her intensity and her focus to take the third set."
Next up for Ekstrand was a match-up against the number one player from the Tufts Jumbos. "The battle against Tufts was just another display of the grit and tenacity we all know Erica has," reflects Cepeda. Ekstrand left it all on the court for her semi-finals match this afternoon under the hot Orlando sun. Despite losing the first set with her usual outstanding groundstroke rips, Ekstrand was able to troubleshoot and adapt her game by taking off pace and keeping her opponent away from the wings until she found a short ball. This was something much more challenging for the opponent to handle, and Ekstrand was able to climb back after being down 1-4 in the set. Unfortunately, Ekstrand fell in a tiebreaker after making it to 6-5 and 6-6. Despite the loss, Cepeda reflects fondly of the match and knows "She gave it everything today."
After a well earned break following her singles matches, Ekstrand and Ishikawa took the court again tonight. This time, they faced off in a revenge match against the number 1 seed CMS, a duo to whom the Ephs lost to in the regular season in a tie-break. The first set was extremely tight between the Ephs and the Stags. With their usual game of playing aggressive by getting two up, they were able to out-edge their opponents in the first set, taking a tie-breaker after being down 2-5. After winning the first set, the Eph were radiating confidence as they cruised into the second. With their chip returns and outstanding poaches, Ekstrand and Ishikawa put on a spectacular show, exhibiting their whole toolbox. Cepeda reflects, "I was impressed by how aggressively and confidently we played the doubles match today. Both Erica and Yuu really wanted the ball and that translated to some incredible serving, returning, and two-up doubles."
The Ephs are left with one team going into the semi-finals of the doubles tournament tomorrow. Play will commence at 2pm for Ishikawa and Ekstrand. This is an exciting moment for the Ephs, and Cepeda adds: "Big shoutout to all the friends, family, alumni, and teammates who are following along and sending encouragement. It was special to have the guys cheering in the stands as well — they helped a lot."
Singles:
Quarterfinals : Erica Ekstrand, Williams vs. Olivia Soffer, Babson (8)
Williams — 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
Semifinals : Erica Ekstrand, Williams vs. Elle Christensen, Tufts
Tufts — 6-2, 7-6
Doubles:
Quarterfinals: Erica Ekstrand / Yuu Ishikawa, Williams vs. Nikolina Batoshvili/Alisha Chulani, CMS (1)
Williams — 7-6, 6-1
