2023 ITA West Regionals Results

FRESNO, Calif. – Competing against teams from the Pacific West Conference, California Collegiate Athletics Association, and other West Coast schools, Academy of Art began their 2023-2024 season at the ITA West Regionals this past week. The Urban Knights notched 10 total singles wins and three doubles victories, including championship appearances in both the consolation singles bracket and doubles bracket. 

"As the tournament progressed, we built the confidence in us to change the aspects in our games that are going to make a huge impact in the spring", said head coach Nicole Briceño. "We became mentally and physically stronger as a team and I am really proud of the team for that."

Freshman Amelija Supulniece led ART U with eight total wins, with four in singles and three in doubles. After starting her singles tournament with a tough 6-7, 2-6 loss to Colorado Mesa's Isabelle Coman, Supulniece won four consecutive singles matches in the consolation bracket, earning herself a consolation championship appearance. She first started with a 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 victory over Abbigail Mulick of Stanislaus State sending her to the round of 16 where she picked up another win, taking the match 6-4, 7-5. Going into the quarterfinals, Supulniece met up with Devyn Rodriguez of Colorado Mesa where she came out victorious 6-2, 6-1 and then took down Francesca Aguirre of Westmont in the semifinals 7-6, 6-0. Supulniece dropped her finals match to end her singles run. 

After falling in their first doubles match to Azusa Pacific's Cristiana Miruna Tudor and Vini Margaret Bautista, Supulniece and junior Erica Hellbe won four straight matches as doubles teammates. Making their way through Astrid Craig and Ana Rios of Dominican 8-4, Leonie Muller and Lynn Kader of Hawai'i Pacific 9-7, and Haley Garcia and Deepalakshmi Vanaraja of Dominican 8-3, Supulniece and Hellbe reached the consolation finals giving ART U their second appearance of the tournament.

"Hellbe and Supulniece had a great tournament" Briceño said. "I believe they really found their groove and believed in themselves that they could dominate at the net. I am so proud that they got out of their comfort zones and really incorporated what we are trying to do as a team in doubles. They took the initiative to be better, believed they could do it, and went for it. I loved to see it and am so proud as their coach! Excited to get back on the court and continue to develop as a team".

Junior Maria Vittoria Casucci made a run in the main bracket for singles, winning against three opponents before getting knocked out in the quarterfinals stage. Casucci's three singles victories were against Bryn Johnson of Concordia (7-6, 4-6, 11-9), Elise Leik of Fresno Pacific (3-6, 6-2, 10-5), and Audrey Rafols of Dominican (6-4, 2-6, 10-8).

"I am so proud of the heart Casucci played with throughout the tournament" Briceño said. That 'never give up' mentality is what is going to take her game to the next level. She had one of the best wins in her career and I am so happy for her. I can't wait to continue to see that from her."

Senior Viktoria Leth also took down multiple singles wins as well, beating Emma Yu of Stanislaus State 6-3, 6-1 and Lynn Kader of Hawai'i Pacific 6-2, 6-2 in the consolation bracket.

That next fall tournament for Academy of Art will be the Penguin Invitational, hosted by Dominican and running Oct. 20-22 at the Castellucci Family Tennis Center.