St. Benedict’s Christin Tiegs and the Carleton doubles team of Sarah Russell and Amanda Santa Romana claimed titles at the Women’s ITA Midwest Regional hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter on Sunday. The three athletes will now represent the region at the ITA National Small College Championships next month.
Tiegs, the fifth seed, upended unseeded Marla Menne of Gustavus 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinal round to advance to the finals to face another Gustie, second-seeded Lauren Hom. Hom reached the finals by defeating her teammate fourth-seeded Lyndsey Palen 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 earlier in the day. Tiegs took three sets to claim the regional title by disposing of Hom, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In doubles play, Russell, who was the top seed in the singles draw, joined with Santa Romana for two quick victories on Sunday. The Carleton duo defeated the Gustavus tandem of Jaime Gaard and Mikaela Schmitt 8-1. Awaiting them in the finals was another Gustie duo consisting of Hom and Kara Smiley. Russell and Santa Romana downed the Gustavus team 8-4.
The ITA Midwest Region Championships were one of eight regional tournaments for Division III women that either took place this weekend or will take place in the week to come. The singles and doubles champions from these regional tournaments advance to the ITA National Small College Championships, presented by the USTA, Oct. 16-19 in Corpus Christi, Texas.