Feeling Super! No. 2 A&M begins NCAA Tournament with back-to-back sweeps

Oh, so sweep.

The No. 2 Texas A&M women’s tennis team glided through the weekend, sweeping Quinnipiac and Baylor on their way to hosting an NCAA Super Regional in College Station for the second straight year.

“It went the way I expected it,” A&M head coach Mark Weaver said. “4-0, you will take that any day of the week.”

Friday’s scorching temperatures added to the heat that Texas A&M came to play with.

Mark Weaver’s star-studded squad did not mess around as pairing’s Jayci Goldsmith/Salma Ewing and Mia Kupres/Mary Stoiana secured the team’s 25th doubles point of the season and got the ball rolling for a quick sweep moving into singles play.

However, the heat wasn’t hot enough to melt the gold on the court.

Jayci Goldsmith claimed her 114th singles victory over Vera Sekerina to etch her name in Texas A&M record books, now holding the all-time career singles win record. Yet, Goldsmith is no stranger to breaking records as she surpassed the career doubles record earlier this season.

“I’m so grateful,” Goldsmith said. “I love Aggieland so much, and I’m so glad that the 12th Man is here.”

The fifth year’s straight set and historic victory claimed A&M’s second point, and Ewing quickly followed suit. Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Mary Stoiana capped off the win on court one, sending the Aggies to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to play Baylor.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Now holding the all-time singles win record, Jayci Goldsmith also broke the career doubles record earlier this season.

“Nobody is taking for granted what Mary is doing,” Weaver said. “She is playing the best player from every team, every match. She’s doing nothing but taking care of business.”

On Saturday, the former Big 12 foes hit the court as A&M came out on top in dominating fashion once again.

The Maroon & White claimed their 26th doubles point of the year behind two swift performances from pairing’s Goldsmith/Ewing and Jeanette Mireles/Gianna Pielet. 

Just as she did Friday, Goldsmith took command over her single’s match, winning in straight sets and leaving two of her teammates to finish off the job.

“I try to win as fast as possible to try and relieve some of that pressure to help the girls get the momentum going,” Goldsmith said.

On court five, Daria Smetannikov earned A&M’s third point, and on match point, the birthday girl, Mary Stoiana, propelled the Aggies right into the super regional round of the NCAA Tournament.

“It feels awesome,” Stoiana said. “It felt really special to clinch, and playing here in front of the 12th Man again is really special.”

The Aggies will continue their run through the postseason, hosting SEC foe No. 15 Tennessee, next Friday at 2 p.m. CT at Mitchell Tennis Center.

“Doesn’t matter who we play,” Goldsmith said. “We are going to go out and give it our all. One more win and then we are off to Orlando.”