Tiebreak thriller clinches A&M's third straight Final Four trip

Postseason excellence has become routine for Mark Weaver's Aggies.

For the third time in as many years, No. 4 seed Texas A&M headed back to the NCAA Tournament semifinal, defeating No. 5 seed North Carolina in Athens on Saturday morning, 4-3.

An impressive feat in its own right, but it would be naive to think Weaver & Co. is slowing down with the finish line in sight.

In the earlier minutes of Saturday morning in Georgia, it took Violeta Martinez emptying out her own tank to put A&M in this position.

With the Aggies and Tar Heels at 3-3, it all came down to Court 5 as A&M’s senior battled UNC freshman Anna Frey in a highly dramatic, three-set match that went to a tiebreaker.

The two went blow-for-blow until the very last point, but the veteran prevailed.

"Violeta, what determination by her. She was actually cramping for the majority of the third set," Weaver said. "What a warrior Violeta was out there."

Before the finish turned electric, the Aggies were already playing from behind after losing out of the gate.

Doubles came down to Court 1 as Lucciana Perez and Mia Kupres forced a tiebreaker. Winning just three of their last 10 matches, the Aggies’ top doubles pair remained inconsistent and surrendered that point.

Yet, the outlook remained bright.

Just a week ago, USC secured the initial advantage, but that didn't stop the Maroon & White from sweeping through singles action.

Court 2 was the first to cease play as Kupres dropped both sets 6-2, and the Tar Heels secured another point.

The SEC and ACC Players of the Year dueled on Court 1 before Perez took a commanding lead in the second set.

"I think it's time to do a little early induction there," Weaver said of Perez earning a spot in the ITA Hall of Fame. "When you lose the doubles point, it helps when Lucianna takes down the second-best player in college, rather routinely."

Undefeated in singles action this season, the nation's No. 1-ranked player resumed her streak of dominance. She defeated the country's No. 2 player, Reese Brantmeier, in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).

Momentum shifted maroon for a bit. Ilinca Amariei and Lexington Reed followed suit by beating their Carolina Blue opponents in straight sets — 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4, 7-5, respectively.

That’s when the late drama ensued as Martinez punched A&M's ticket back to the Final Four.

The Aggies have set up a date with the reigning national champs and hosts in Georgia, who beat A&M to claim the crown last year in Waco.

These two squads have history, as the Aggies got the best of the Bulldogs in the 2024 title game.

"If you can't get fired up to play the Georgia Bulldogs here in Athens, you might have something wrong with you,” Weaver said. “It's going to be a great crowd with great electricity. What a fun college environment it is here."

Past midnight in the Peach State when action wrapped up, A&M will need to quickly refuel for a 6 p.m. CT tilt on ESPN+ on Saturday.