She’ll take on the No. 96-ranked player at 10 a.m. PT.
Continuing a historic run, Washington State tennis player Michaela Bayerlova defeated North Carolina’s Carson Tanguilig, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5, to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tennis Singles Championship, where she’ll face VCU’s Paulo Exposito Diaz-Delgado today at 10 a.m. PT for the right to advance to the semis.
If you want to follow along, you can watch the matchup here.
No WSU tennis player has ever made it this far, and it would seem that Bayerlova has an excellent chance to keep it rolling: Diaz-Delgado was ranked No. 96 nationally entering the tournament. That said, Diaz-Delgado didn’t drop her first set until yesterday, and she more or less cruised through the final two sets from there.
Bayerlova, meanwhile, had her hands full against Tanguilig. She often found herself playing from behind but coming back again and again to dispatch the Tar Heel.
“Another strong mental performance from Misa today,” WSU head coach Raquel Atawo said via news release. “She had some doubts early on but she found a way out of it and ended playing a solid third set. Today was a tough battle against a very good player and Misa stepped up when she had to. She was playing from behind a lot today but her competitive drive always brought her back. Super proud of her effort.”
Broken serve was more or less the theme of the day, likely due in large measure to the exceptionally windy conditions on the campus of Illinois. Tanguilig broke Bayerlova’s serve three times to power to a win in the first set — Bayerlova’s first dropped set of the tournament.
The second set was where Bayerlova’s mental toughness started to show against the freshman. Down 5-6 and facing elimination, the fifth-year senior saved two match points to force a tiebreaker against the freshman. In that tiebreak, Bayerlova hit a trio of winners while Tanguilig hit a quartet of errors, forcing the third set.
The third and deciding set was befitting a match where the loser goes home. Bayerlova used three breaks to take a 5-3 lead, appearing to be rolling and needing only to hold serve to advance. But Tanguilig broke back quickly before holding her own serve to tie the match at 5-5. But, again, Bayerlova steadied herself to hold serve and take a 6-5 lead before building an advantage against Tanguilig’s serve that would give her two match points — the second of which paid off to seal the victory.
Bayerlova is now 20-2 on the season and 9-1 against-nationally-ranked opponents. She is on a six-match win streak — all against-ranked opponents — and now has 93 career singles victories, sixth all-time at WSU.
Tyrell Roberts finds a new home
Thanks for the season, Ty. I hope you kill it in San Francisco and that our teams face each other in the NCAA tournament!
Spooky in the city X pic.twitter.com/shg6fMeRGI
— Ty (@ghost_roberts) May 25, 2022
And yes, we’re still waiting on final decisions from Efe Abogidi and Mouhamed Gueye, both of whom have until June 1 to either enter the draft or transfer to a new school (if they want to be immediately eligible next season).
LINKS
Bayerlova Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals – Washington State University Athletics
Bayerlova becomes first Cougar player to reach NCAA quarterfinals.
NBA draft decisions loom for Timme, Keels, Wilson and more – Sports Illustrated
Mouhamed Gueye’s best basketball is ahead of him, and the Washington State big man flashed his upside given his size, ability to run the floor and shooting touch in the scrimmages last week. All options are on the table, including a return to Pullman, a different college destination or staying in the draft.
Washington State transfer Mouhamed Gueye talks Draft process and odds of return to college
Gueye didn’t discuss the schools in contact but did mention that Washington State is going to remain an option. “Hell yeah, definitely,” he answered if Wazzu would still be an option. “That’s my people out there.”
Soccer turns two more into Cougs – Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – Putting the finishing touches on the 2022 roster, Washington State soccer head coach Todd Shulenberger has officially announced the transfers of
Leger-Walker Signs Contract with Northern Kahu out of New Zealand – Washington State University Athletics
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Northern Kahu is delighted to announce the signing of Krystal Leger-Walker for the upcoming Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season. Off the back
Englar Qualifies for Nationals in Men’s Pole Vault; Cougars Open West Preliminary Rounds – Washington State University Athletics
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Jacob Englar punched his ticket into nationals with a ninth-place finish in the men’s pole vault (5.29m) and Zach Stallings advanced to the quarterfinal
Best all-time transfers in and out of every Pac-12 school – ESPN.com
Best transfer in: Taylor Rochestie, 2006-09; Most significant transfer out: Malachi Flynn, 2016-18
Pac-12 football: Predicting must-watch games of 2022 season
8. OREGON AT WASHINGTON STATE: SEPT. 24