{"id":296217,"date":"2026-05-16T17:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T17:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/296217\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T17:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T17:10:23","slug":"no-3-aggies-headed-to-third-straight-ncaa-semifinals-texas-am-athletics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/296217\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 3 Aggies Headed to Third Straight NCAA Semifinals – Texas A&M Athletics"},"content":{"rendered":"

ATHENS \u2013\u00a0The 4-seed Texas A&M Aggies advanced to their third consecutive NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship Semifinals with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the 5-seed North Carolina Tar Heels Friday evening at Magill Tennis Complex.
\n\u00a0
\nVioleta Martinez<\/a> won the match with a thrilling victory on court 5. She topped the Tar Heels’ Anna Frey, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(5).
\n\u00a0

\nTexas A&M (26-5) showed grit, responding from an early deficit to ticked off three straight wins to nose ahead 3-2.
\n\u00a0
\nNorth Carolina (27-4) briefly surged to a 2-0 advantage as No. 18 Ange Oby Kajuru was the first to record a singles result. She topped No. 50 Mia Kupres<\/a>, 6-2, 6-2.
\n\u00a0

\nThe momentum swung back toward Texas A&M as No. 1 Lucciana Perez<\/a> prevailed in the marquee matchup against No. 2 Reese Brantmeier, 6-3, 6-1. With her victory over the reigning NCAA Singles Champion, Perez improved to 27-0 on the season, recording her sixth top 10 victory of year.
\n\u00a0
\nThe match became a 2-2 stalemate when No. 71 Ilinca Amariei<\/a> bested No. 42 Tatum Evans on court 3, 6-3, 6-2.
\n\u00a0
\nNo. 106 Lexington Reed<\/a> continued the charge with a straight set win on court 4. She claimed the first set, 6-4 and after falling behind 5-3, Reed rattled off four straight games to put A&M one victory from the semifinals.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Tar Heels responded with a win on court 6. Thea Rabman nosed past No. 98 Daria Smetannikov<\/a>, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, to turn all eyes to Martinez and Frey on court 5.
\n\u00a0
\nThe pivotal doubles point came down to a tiebreaker on court 1. No. 9 Brantmeier\/Alanis Hamilton gave North Carolina the early lead with a 7-6(1) victory over No. 11 Perez\/Kupres.
\n\u00a0
\nUNC’s No. 5 Evans\/Kajuru checked in with a 6-2 victory against Smetannikov\/Reed on court 3 to start doubles. No. 35 Martinez\/Amariei evened the keel with a 6-4 triumph over Zampardo\/Susanna Maltby on court 2.
\n\u00a0

\nThe Aggies face the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in Saturday’s 6 p.m. semifinal contest. It marks the third consecutive time the teams will meet in the NCAA Tournament. The last two seasons they met in the finals with A&M winning the title in 2024 and the Bulldogs responding with a victory in 2025.
\n\u00a0
\n#3 Texas A&M 4, #5 North Carolina 3
\nMagill Tennis Complex \u2013 Athens, Georgia
\n\u00a0
\nSINGLES
\n#1 Lucciana Perez<\/a> (A&M) def. #2 Reese Brantmeier (UNC) \u2013 6-3, 6-1
\n#18 Ange Oby Kajuru (UNC) def. #50 Mia Kupres<\/a> (A&M) \u2013 6-2, 6-2
\n#71 Ilinca Amariei<\/a> (A&M) def. # 42 Tatum Evans (UNC) \u2013 6-3, 6-2
\n#106 Lexington Reed<\/a> (A&M) def. #116 Maddy Zampardo (UNC) \u2013 6-4, 7-5
\nVioleta Martinez<\/a> (A&M) def. Anna Frey (UNC) \u2013 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(5)
\nThea Rabman (UNC) def. #98 Daria Smetannikov<\/a> (A&M) \u2013 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
\nOrder of finish: 2,1,3,4,6,5<\/p>\n

DOUBLES

\n#11 Lucciana Perez<\/a>\/Mia Kupres<\/a> (A&M) vs. #9 Reese Brantmeier\/Alanis Hamilton (UNC) \u2013 7-6(1)

\n#35 Violeta Martinez<\/a>\/Ilinca Amariei<\/a> (A&M) def. Maddy Zampardo\/Susanna Maltby (UNC) \u2013 6-4

\n#5 Tatum Evans\/Oby Kajuru (UNC) def. Daria Smetannikov<\/a>\/Lexington Reed<\/a> (A&M) \u2013 6-2

\nOrder of finish: 3,2,1

\n\u00a0

\nTEXAS A&M QUOTES

\nHead Coach Mark Weaver<\/a>

\nOn the match…

\n“It was a remarkable college tennis match. The level of play was so high for both teams. Unfortunately, there had to be a winner and there had to be a loser, but it was truly one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever been a part of. You couldn’t ask for more just drama out there, and high-level tennis. Both girls (in the deciding match) battled like warriors out there. What a great match sportsmanship wise on both sides I really felt like and there was great representation of both universities. I’m just so proud of my girls. It truly was one for the ages.”

\n\u00a0

\nSenior Violeta Martinez<\/a>

\nOn clinching to advance Texas A&M to the Final Four…

\n“I don’t think I’ve ever clinched a match like this, a very important match. It felt incredible. When the last point happened, I just looked at the girls, and they came running after me. I always wanted to feel that. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that tie break was going to go my way. I just kept envisioning the girls running after me. It feels amazing. It’s a team effort. I got one point, but there were still three other points that were made. I’m just grateful for the girls and for all the coaches here.”

\n\u00a0

\nFOLLOW THE AGGIES

\nVisit\u00a012thman.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information on Texas A&M women’s tennis. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women’s tennis team on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and on X by following\u00a0@AggieWTEN<\/a>.<\/p>\n