Program-high four main draw entrants highlights Tarleton State Tennis’ ITA Regional performance

FORT WORTH, Texas – Tarleton State Tennis had a program-high four student-athletes compete in the singles main draw at the ITA Texas Regional Championships that concluded Tuesday.

The four entrants marked the most the Texans had in the ITA Regionals in program history.

Sophomore Maria Castano and senior Emma Persson led the Texans in singles, with both winning a match in the main draw to advance to the Round of 32. Senior Ximena Morales and sophomore Duru Kuscu won two matches each in the qualifying draw to secure their main draw spot.

"I was pleased with our performance at ITA Regionals. Texas has one of the strongest regions in the country and to have four of our players qualify for the singles main draw is a big deal," head coach Elianne Douglas-Miron said. "Maria and Emma played some outstanding matches. I was really proud of how they showed up and stayed competitive with some of the best players in the country. We continue to improve individually and as a team. We are working hard to take every opportunity that is presented to us. The next challenge is the WAC Fall Invitational and I'm excited to head to Utah Tech and watch our team compete."

A trio of Texans started the tournament with straight sets wins in the qualifying draw. In her first ITA Texas Regional Championships match, freshman Aya Ishii came out victorious. After splitting the first two sets, Ishii clinched the third set and defeated SMU's Natalie Stasny 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Persson qualified for her third career singles main draw at the ITA Texas Regional Championships with her win over UIW's Alexandra Mille, controlling the action with a 6-3, 6-1 win. She continued the momentum in the main draw, collecting a bagel (6-0 set) before winning the second set tiebreak to defeat UTSA's Celine Absawi 6-0, 7-6(7). The senior clawed her way to a three set battle, but saw her run come to an end in the Round of 32.

Already securing her spot in the main draw, Castano advanced to the second round with ease. The 2025 WAC Freshman of the Year defeated UTSA's Giuliana Giardina 6-1, 6-1 before falling to TCU's Raquel Caballero Chica.

Falling just shy of qualifying for the main draw in last year's event, Morales made certain her spot was secured in 2025. The senior did not lose a set in qualifying, defeating opponents from North Texas and UTRGV to punch her ticket in the field.

Qualifying for the singles main draw as a freshman, Kuscu saw similar success in 2025. After winning the first set tiebreak en route to a straight sets win over her opponent from ACU, Kuscu defeated North Texas' Lilly Schultz 6-4, 6-4 to make her second straight main draw appearance.

Tarleton State will compete in the second-ever WAC Fall Tennis Invitational at Utah Tech starting Thursday.

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Players Mentioned

Maria Castano: Sophomore

Duru Kuscu: Sophomore

Ximena Morales: Senior

Emma Persson: Senior

Aya Ishii: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Maria Castano
: Sophomore

Duru Kuscu
: Sophomore

Ximena Morales
: Senior

Emma Persson
: Senior

Aya Ishii
: Freshman