SURPRISE, ARIZ. – Sophomores Alma Thell-Lenntorp and Klara Thell-Lenntorp embarked into uncharted territory for Academy of Art, being the first doubles team to represent the Urban Knights at the ITA Oracle Cup. The twins thrived under the national spotlight, claiming fifth-place in the competition.
 
The tournament was comprised of the top NCAA Division II singles and doubles players in the country. Those in attendance only received a berth after being crowned champions at their respective ITA Regional events two weeks ago. After taking home the doubles title at the Western Regionals on October 1, the Thell-Lenntorps punched their ticket to Arizona.
 
As the No. 1 seed from the West Region, the twins were set to square off with Bogoli and Willig from Lynn University in their first match on Thursday. However, their opponents upheld their team's No. 4 national ranking, defeating Alma and Klara 6-2, 6-1. After the loss, the twins' highest possible finish was fifth-place which could only be reached with two consecutive victories.
 
The first opponent in their way was a pair from the New York Institute of Technology (Pondusova and Siembab). The duo put up a fight, winning four games in each set, but ultimately could not defeat the twins. With their 6-4, 6-4 victory, the ART U pair headed into a match on Friday against Petersen and Timm from St. Mary's which would decide fifth and sixth-place. Alma and Klara emerged victorious after taking the first set by a narrow 7-6 score and the second 6-4.

"As the tournament progressed, Alma and Klara kept playing better and better," said Acting Coach and Associate Athletics Director of Compliance/ Senior Woman Administrator Ashley Adams. "They were disappointed with the result from the first match, but really used it to motivate them throughout the next two matches."
 
The twins will now reunite with the rest of their teammates as they prepare for upcoming spring season.