COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Toledo women's tennis team ended its historic season with a 4-0 loss to No.12 seed Ohio State in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

Toledo (18-6) ended its 2024 season with its second consecutive regular season Mid-American Conference title, the program's first MAC Tournament crown, and its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The Buckeyes took a 1-0 match lead after securing the doubles point from victories at the No.2 and No.3 courts. Seniors Cassie Alcala and Julia Kuszynski trailed 5-2 in their match at the No. 1 court before it was ruled unfinished.

Senior Sloane Teske battled 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Luciana Perry and dropped two sets 6-1 to put an end to her Rocket career. No.17 ranked Irina Cantos Siemers took two sets from Alcala at the top court to put the Buckeyes at match point. Akanksha Bhan sealed the deal at the No.6 court in two sets over Kuszynski to end the match at 4-0 and end Toledo's run in the postseason.

Senior Shalini Tallamraju lost her first set 6-2 to Sydni Ratliff and was ahead 4-1 in the second set before her match was ruled unfinished. Sophomore Sanjana Tallamraju and junior Audrey Moutama also had their matches at the No.3 and No.5 courts, respectively, ruled unfinished.

Head Coach Tracy Mauntler praised the way her team represented the program this season and gave special praise to the graduating class of  Alcala, Kuszynski, Shalini Tallamraju, and Teske. 

"I'm so incredibly proud of this squad and the way they represent Toledo," Mauntler said. "This senior class has raised the bar to a whole new level and their footprints are all over this program. It will never be the same, which is an amazing accomplishment. They have checked off every single goal they had on their list since their freshman year. I am a better coach because of them and the younger players on the team are better teammates because of them. We are grateful that Sloane, Cassie, Shalini, and Julia all chose to become Rockets."

Ohio State advances to the second round to face Vanderbilt (13-10) tomorrow at noon for a chance to play in the NCAA Super Regionals. The Commodores defeated Wake Forest 4-1 in the first match played on Saturday.

2024 NCAA Women's Tennis Championships
Columbus, Ohio | Ty Tucker Tennis Center
First Round

#12 Ohio State 4, Toledo 0
Singles
1. #17 Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) def. Cassie Alcala (TOL) 6-2, 6-0
2. #50 Luciana Perry (OSU) def. Sloane Teske (TOL) 6-1, 6-1
3. #114 Sydni Ratliff (OSU) vs. Sanjana Tallamraju (TOL) 6-2, 3-1, unfinished
4. Teah Chavez (OSU) vs. Shalini Tallamraju (TOL) 6-2, 1-4, unfinished
5. Audrey Spencer (OSU) vs. Audrey Moutama (TOL) 6-2, 3-2, unfinished
6. Akanksha Bhan (OSU) def. Julia Kuszynski (TOL) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Shelly Bereznyak/Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) vs. Cassie Alcala/Julia Kuszynski (TOL) 5-2, unfinished
2. Audrey Spencer/Luciana Perry (OSU) def. Sanjana Tallamraju/Sloane Teske (TOL) 6-2
3. Madeline Atway/Teah Chavez (OSU) def. Audrey Moutama/Shalini Tallamraju (TOL) 6-1