SAINT PETER, Minn. — A magical season for Illinois Tech women's tennis that saw the squad win the regular season and post-season conference titles, and make a return to NCAA tournament play for the second time in program history, comes to a close in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship as the Scarlet Hawks fell to No. 66 Luther College 4-0 on Friday at the Wilkinson Tennis Complex in the Gustavus Adolphus Regional.
Illinois Tech finishes with record of 11-10. The Norse improve to 16-8 and will advance to second round play on Saturday when they face 2nd-ranked University of Chicago.
The Hawks had competitive matches across the board against Luther, but were unable to close out any matches in their favor to fend off The Norse momentum.
For the Scarlet Hawks 2025-26 season, it was a return to prominence for the women's program, as the team won their first conference title and earned their first NCAA tournament berth since the 2022 season. With the majority of the team returning to play next season, the Hawks have a chance to make another run into post-season play next year.
How It Happened
Luther secured the doubles point by winning two of three matches. The Norse posted victories at No. 3 doubles, where Abby Ostermann and L. van Den Broek defeated Paige Geiger and Angelica Conwell 6-0, and at No. 2 doubles, with Abby Struble and Lena Lichau overcoming Maddalena Dumangane and Maia Lecuona Ramos 6-1.
In singles play, Luther extended its lead with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Lichau won over Dumangane 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, and Allie Christensen prevailed over Thea Salcedo 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
Luther clinched the match at No. 6 singles, where L. van Den Broek defeated Conwell 6-2, 6-3, securing the fourth point for Luther. Additional matches included Lecuona Ramos taking a set from R. Queiroga Tavares but ultimately leaving the match unfinished, and Geiger's match against Ale Villanueva which also remained unfinished at No. 5 singles.
Doubles
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Martyna Kalinowska/Thea Salcedo (IIT) vs. Allie Christensen/A. Schifsky-Seguin (LUT) 4-3, unfinished
Abby Struble/Lena Lichau (LUT) def. Maddalena Dumangane/Maia Lecuona Ramos (IIT) 6-1
Abby Ostermann/L. van Den Broek (LUT) def. Paige Geiger/Angelica Conwell (IIT) 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 2
Singles
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Martyna Kalinowska (IIT) vs. Abby Ostermann (LUT) 6-4, 4-1, unfinished
Lena Lichau (LUT) def. Maddalena Dumangane (IIT) 6-1, 6-0
Allie Christensen (LUT) def. Thea Salcedo (IIT) 6-3, 6-0
Maia Lecuona Ramos (IIT) vs. R. Queiroga Tavares (LUT) 7-6(2), 0-1, unfinished
Ale Villanueva (LUT) vs. Paige Geiger (IIT) 6-2, 4-4, unfinished
L. van Den Broek (LUT) def. Angelica Conwell (IIT) 6-2, 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 6