VERMILLION, S.D. – The Kansas City Roos women’s tennis team faced a tough outing on the road Sunday, falling 5-2 to the South Dakota Coyotes in a Summit League matchup. Despite the overall result, individual victories from Luciana Braga and Alisa Reznik provided bright spots for the Roos, who are now 3-10 on the season and 0-2 in conference play. The match highlighted the challenges of competing in the Summit League, where every point is fiercely contested, and individual performances can significantly impact the outcome.
The Coyotes secured the early advantage by winning the doubles point, setting the tone for the afternoon. However, Kansas City responded quickly, claiming two of the first three singles matches to finish, briefly taking a 2-1 lead. South Dakota proved too strong, winning the remaining four singles matches to secure the victory. The Roos will look to build on the individual successes and translate that momentum into team wins as the season progresses.
Braga and Reznik Shine in Singles Play
Luciana Braga delivered a strong performance at the No. 4 singles position, defeating Keta Shavlishvili of South Dakota in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Braga’s consistent play and ability to capitalize on her opponent’s errors were key to her success. Similarly, Alisa Reznik dominated her match at No. 6 singles, besting Ava Doddridge with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory. Reznik’s aggressive style and powerful serve proved difficult for Doddridge to handle. These individual wins demonstrate the potential within the Roos’ roster and offer a foundation for future success.
Doubles Struggles Set the Stage
The match began with a setback for Kansas City in doubles play. The duo of Alessandra Xibilia and Maria Bylina fell to Kayleigh Didderiens and Cassy Marra 6-3. Catherine Chrobak and Amal Gati too lost their doubles match, going down 4-3 to Keta Shavlishvili and Anna Medvyedyeva. The Braga and Reznik pairing were the closest to securing a doubles win, but ultimately lost 6-1 to Selena Bird and Ava Doddridge. Losing the doubles point proved crucial, as it put immediate pressure on the Roos in singles play. According to the NCAA, winning the doubles point correlates with a roughly 60% chance of winning the overall match. NCAA.com
Singles Results: A Mixed Bag for the Roos
Although Braga and Reznik secured victories, the remaining singles matches proved challenging for Kansas City. Amal Gati battled hard at No. 1 singles but ultimately fell to Selena Bird 6-4, 7-5. Alessandra Xibilia lost a close first set before falling to Kayleigh Didderiens 6-2, 1-6. Catherine Chrobak fought valiantly at No. 3 singles, winning the first set 7-5, but ultimately lost the match in a tiebreaker 5-6, 6-7 (2). Maria Bylina also faced a tough opponent in Cassy Marra, losing a three-set battle 6-7 (0), 7-6 (6), 5-7.
Match Details
Here’s a complete rundown of the match results:
| Position | Kansas City | South Dakota | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles 1 | Amal Gati | Selena Bird | 4-6, 5-7 |
| Singles 2 | Alessandra Xibilia | Kayleigh Didderiens | 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 |
| Singles 3 | Catherine Chrobak | Anna Medvyedyeva | 7-5, 2-6, 6-7 (2) |
| Singles 4 | Luciana Braga | Keta Shavlishvili | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Singles 5 | Maria Bylina | Cassy Marra | 7-6 (0), 7-6 (6), 5-7 |
| Singles 6 | Alisa Reznik | Ava Doddridge | 6-2, 6-1 |
| Doubles 1 | Xibilia/Bylina | Didderiens/Marra | 3-6 |
| Doubles 2 | Chrobak/Gati | Shavlishvili/Medvyedyeva | 3-4 |
| Doubles 3 | Braga/Reznik | Bird/Doddridge | 1-6 |
The Roos’ next challenge comes on April 14th, when they travel to face Denver. The Pioneers currently hold a 9-8 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Summit League play. The match will be a crucial test for Kansas City as they continue their conference schedule. Updates and further information about the Roos’ schedule can be found on the official Kansas City Athletics website: https://kcroos.com/sports/womens-tennis/schedule
The team will undoubtedly analyze this match against South Dakota, focusing on improving their doubles play and building on the individual successes of Braga and Reznik. The Summit League season is still young, and the Roos have opportunities to climb the standings with continued effort and strategic adjustments.
If you or someone you understand is struggling with mental health, resources are available. You can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or visit their website at https://www.nami.org/.
What are your thoughts on the Roos’ performance? Share your comments below and connect with us on social media for the latest updates.
