Poppin' Champaign! #7 Texas A&M punches ticket to NCAA Quarterfinals

The Texas A&M women’s tennis team has yet to slow down.

For the second time in program history, #7 Texas A&M has fought its way to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in Champaign, Illinois. The Aggies clinched a trip to the midwest with a 4-0 sweep of Vanderbilt on Saturday, May 14, at the Mitchell Tennis Center.

The only thing that stood between the Aggies and a plane ticket to Illinois was a team they had beaten twice before this season.

As everyone knows, it is hard to beat a team twice, let alone three times.

However, the Aggies did just that.

“Beating a team three times in a year is definitely a tricky one there,” Texas A&M coach Mark Weaver said. “I was pleased to play Vanderbilt because it’s a team we were familiar with and a team that I just thought we were a better team than.”

The sweep began when doubles pairing Renee McBryde and Gianna Pielet took care of business against their Commodore opponents, 6-1. A&M’s first point of the match was secured by the duo of Carson Branstine and Mary Stoiana with their 6-4 win.

“Confidence is the trend of our team,” Branstine said. “We all work so hard day in and day out. The confidence didn’t come from nowhere.”

Moving on to singles play, Jayci Goldsmith played hot and won in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) to advance A&M’s lead to 2-0. Quickly after, Mary Stoiana followed suit, winning in straight sets as well (6-2, 6-0).

The Aggies were one point away from clinching, with four individuals still playing on their respective courts.

After winning her first set (6-4), Branstine trailed 5-4 in the second but was not done.

She fought back against Anna Ross, tying the set, 5-5, before breaking Ross’ serve to jump ahead, 6-5, with one game left to win the match.

“That’s definitely the best match I’ve played against her,” Branstine said. “She definitely upped her level today and was ready to play every point and make it a really tough match for me. I felt relaxed the whole time, even though it didn't seem like it at times. I was ready to go out there and be out there as long as I needed to and get the win.”

With a record-attendance crowd behind her, Branstine won her final game and clinched A&M’s trip to Illinois.

“It was definitely special,” Branstine said. “Last home match of the season. I’m new to the Aggie family, and seeing the crowd and how locked in they are to my match and how badly they want you to do well is really, really special, and you don’t get that at any other program.”

The Aggies will continue their historic one-loss season in Champaign, Illinois, as they take on #2 Oklahoma on Friday, May 20.

“We had high hopes going into the season, but I don’t think anyone thought we would be 33-1 right now,” Weaver said. “Our mission all year has been to win the national title.”