By: Patrick Davis
DES MOINES, Iowa – Highlighting a day of exceptional singles performances, the Creighton women’s tennis team amassed an impressive total of seven victories, dominating the second day of competition at the Bulldog Classic on Saturday.
“Another good day of competition,” remarked head coach Tom Lilly, reflecting on the team’s progress. “Bianca is playing at a very high level, and it has been fun to watch. We are dealing with some injuries, but everyone is competing hard.”
Senior standout Bianca Rademacher displayed her prowess on the court, achieving a flawless performance by securing two singles wins while partnering with freshman Pippa Roy for the Bluejays’ sole doubles victory, defeating Iowa State’s duo of Da Silva and Suzanie Pretorius in a tightly contested match that ended 7-5. The talented athlete from Lincoln, Nebraska, showcased her skill by dominating the opening round of singles play with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Pretorius and following it up with another decisive win, this time against North Dakota’s Alyssa Giupponi, recording yet another 6-1, 6-1 scoreline.
Sophomore Elsa Jurrens staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from a one-set deficit to triumph over North Dakota’s Linn Svaerd with scores of 5-7, 7-5, 10-5. Meanwhile, Annika Elvestrom contributed to the team’s success with a solid 6-3, 6-4 victory against Giupponi.
Junior Ana Paula Martinez also joined the winning streak, achieving a strong 6-1, 6-4 victory over Da Silva. Freshman Pippa Roy capped off the day’s impressive performances by securing a win against Da Silva with a final score of 7-5, 2-6, 10-5.
The Bluejays are set to conclude their participation at the Bulldog Classic on Sunday morning, with an exciting structure that includes one final round of doubles action followed by a round of singles play. The matches will commence bright and early at 9 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.
Drake University Bulldog Classic
November 2 | Des Moines, Iowa
Doubles
Doubles Draw
R3 – Pippa Roy/Bianca Rademacher (CU) def. Da Silva/Pretorius (ISU), 7-5
R3 – Rossini/Miyoshi (NEB) def. Olivia Minikel/Annika Elvestrom (CU), 6-3
R3 – Loy/Taranova (NEB) def. Ana Paula Martinez/Elsa Jurrens (CU), 6-3
Singles
Singles Draw
R2 – Elsa Jurrens (CU) def. Linn Svaerd (UND), 5-7, 7-5, 10-5
R2 – Annika Elvestrom (CU) def. Alyssa Giupponi (UND), 6-3, 6-4
R2 – Ana Paula Martinez (CU) def. Gabriela Felix Da Silva (ISU), 6-1, 6-4
R2 – Bianca Rademacher (CU) def. Suzanie Pretorius (ISU), 6-1, 6-1
R3 – Pippa Roy (CU) def. Da Silva (ISU), 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
**Interview with Bianca Rademacher, Senior Player for Creighton Women’s Tennis**
**Patrick Davis:** Bianca, congratulations on a fantastic day at the Bulldog Classic! You scored two singles victories and contributed to a doubles win with Pippa Roy. How does it feel to perform so well in such a competitive environment?
**Bianca Rademacher:** Thank you! It feels amazing, especially because I’ve been putting in a lot of work leading up to this tournament. Winning those matches gives me a huge confidence boost, and it’s great to contribute to the team’s success.
**Patrick Davis:** You had a particularly dominant match against Suzanie Pretorius, winning 6-1, 6-1. What was working for you during that match?
**Bianca Rademacher:** I felt really strong in my serves and my groundstrokes. I focused on keeping my consistency and putting pressure on her. I think my strategy was effective, which helped me maintain control throughout the match.
**Patrick Davis:** Your partnership with Pippa Roy in doubles also resulted in a close win against Iowa State’s duo. How important is teamwork in doubles play compared to singles?
**Bianca Rademacher:** Teamwork is crucial in doubles. Pippa and I communicate well on the court, and we really support each other. In tight matches like that one, having trust in your partner makes all the difference.
**Patrick Davis:** Coach Tom Lilly mentioned that the team is dealing with some injuries but still competing hard. How has the team adjusted to those challenges?
**Bianca Rademacher:** We’ve definitely faced some hurdles with injuries, but everyone has stepped up and taken on more responsibility. It’s all about having each other’s backs and maintaining our focus. We’ve been focusing on competing hard and supporting each other on and off the court.
**Patrick Davis:** Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the tournament and the season?
**Bianca Rademacher:** My personal goal is to keep building on my performance and stay healthy. For the team, I want us to keep improving and supporting one another. If we work together, I believe we can achieve some great things this season.
**Patrick Davis:** Thanks for your time, Bianca, and best of luck for the rest of the competition!
**Bianca Rademacher:** Thank you, Patrick! I appreciate it!
