SAINT PETER, Minn. – Ginger Valentine finished runner up at the ITA Midwest Regional Singles Championship on Sept. 23, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Grace Riermann of Bethel University in the championship match.
Valentine earns automatic qualification to the ITA Cup as a finalist from the region, which is new criteria this season. In previous years, only the region champion advanced to the ITA Cup. The ITA Cup takes place Oct. 17-20 at Berry College’s Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Ga.
Valentine won four matches to advance to the region championship. She defeated Courtney Day of UW-Whitewater 6-0, 6-0, Lily Fredricks of Saint Benedict 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, Giana Apostoli of Carthage 6-4, 6-2, and Kimmy Steinert of UW-La Crosse 6-3, 6-2, before losing to Riermann in the title match.