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PHILADELPHIA – Senior women’s tennis player Esha Velaga has qualified for the ITA All-American Championships, earning a spot in the women’s singles pre-qualifying draw. Velaga will begin her run in the pre-qualifiers on Saturday, Sept. 19, against Pietra Rivoli of the University of South Carolina.

The tournament begins Saturday, Sept. 19, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 27, featuring some of the nation’s top collegiate players.

The ITA All-American Championships also provide a pathway to the NCAA Championships. Ten singles players will earn qualification to the NCAA Singles Championship, with eight spots going to the quarterfinalists in the main draw and two additional spots going to the finalists of the feed-in consolation draw.

Quaker Notemeal

Velaga returns to the All-American Championships after competing in the main draw in 2025. She opened last year’s tournament against Carolina Gomez Alonso of the University of Arkansas, falling in a three-set battle. Gomez Alonso took the opening set, 6-4, before the Penn player responded with a 6-3 second-set victory. Gomez Alonso ultimately secured the match with a 6-4 win in the third set.

In the back draw, the Pennsylvania native battled through three sets for the second time of the tournament. She dropped the opening set, 6-3, before evening the match with a 6-4 second-set win. Her opponent claimed the deciding set, 6-1.

The senior got off to a strong start to the 2026 season at the Tribe Invitational. She went undefeated in the Green Singles Draw while also posting an undefeated record in the Colonial Doubles Draw alongside Athina Schlepphorst.

With a return trip to the ITA All-American Championships ahead, Velaga will look to build on her strong start to the season and make another deep run against the nation’s top collegiate competition.

ITA All-American Championships Schedule

Pre-Qualifying Rounds:

Saturday, Sept. 19 – Sunday, Sept. 20

Begins at 9 a.m.

Qualifying Rounds:

Monday, Sept. 21 – Tuesday, Sept. 22

Begins at 9 a.m.

Main Draw:

Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 27

Begins at 9 a.m.

 

For the latest on Penn women’s tennis, follow @PennWTennis on X (formerly Twitter) and @pennwomenstennis on Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.

 

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