After an exhilarating start to the season, the tenth-ranked NC State women’s tennis team encountered a formidable challenge during the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Despite their impressive 5-2 victory over then-No. 10 Pepperdine, the Wolfpack faced their first setback of the 2025 season in a tough match against No. 15 Ohio State.

Wolfpack Struggles to Overcome Buckeyes' Momentum

Historical Context and Recent Success

The NC State women’s tennis program has enjoyed a history of success in ITA Kickoff competitions. Last year, they advanced all the way to the semifinals of the ITA Indoor Championships and even secured a win over rivals UNC-Chapel Hill in the quarterfinals. The momentum from these victories fueled expectations for this year’s tournament. However, the Pack's encounter with Ohio State proved to be a significant hurdle.In previous encounters, NC State had managed to defeat Ohio State, most notably in 2023 when freshman Diana Schnaider played a pivotal role in a 4-3 win. This time around, however, the Buckeyes emerged victorious in Knoxville, Tennessee, one of the host sites for the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The loss highlighted the competitive nature of collegiate tennis and the challenges that come with facing top-tier opponents.

Doubles Round Dynamics

The doubles round set the tone for the entire match. Sophomore Kristina Paskauskas and freshman Michaela Laki began on court three but were quickly outpaced by the Buckeyes, losing 6-1. NC State responded swiftly with a commanding 6-1 victory on court one, courtesy of sophomores Gabriella Broadfoot and Maddy Zampardo, who are ranked fifth nationally. The decisive moment came on court two, where the Buckeyes edged out a close 6-4 victory over freshman Mia Slama and junior Anna Zyryanova. This narrow win gave Ohio State a crucial 1-0 lead heading into singles play. The dynamics of the doubles round underscored the importance of early momentum in tennis matches and how quickly fortunes can shift.

Singles Play Unfolds

Entering singles play, NC State aimed to capitalize on the momentum gained from Zampardo’s doubles win. Zampardo delivered, securing a 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 84 Sydni Ratliff on court four, leveling the score at 1-1. However, the Pack struggled to maintain this rhythm as Ohio State surged ahead.Sophomore Gabriella Broadfoot faced a relatively uncontested match on court three, falling 6-1, 6-2 to her opponent. Freshman Michaela Laki, who had previously stunned No. 15 Savannah Broadus of Pepperdine, also faced a challenging match. She was defeated 6-1, 6-3 by Ohio State’s No. 8 Luciana Perry. These losses put the Buckeyes in a strong position to clinch the match.

Climactic Moments and Match Clincher

The match reached its climax on court six, where sophomore Jasmine Conway, ranked No. 55, faced off against Ohio State’s No. 46 Audrey Spencer. Despite being a seasoned player, Conway fell 6-2, 6-4, marking her first match of the season. With this victory, the Buckeyes sealed the match at 4-1, leaving NC State’s remaining players with unfinished matches on courts two and five.

Looking Forward: Consolation Match and Future Challenges

Although eliminated by the Buckeyes, the Wolfpack will continue their extended road trip with a consolation match against either Texas Tech or the hosting Tennessee Volunteers. This upcoming match provides an opportunity for the team to regroup and refocus. Regardless of the outcome, NC State will face Texas on January 31, adding another layer of intensity to their schedule.Play against either the Volunteers or Red Raiders is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in Knoxville. As the Wolfpack prepares for these challenges, they must leverage their past successes and learn from this experience to strengthen their resolve for the remainder of the season.