University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Photo by: John McGillen
Kulikov/Valdes Advance to NCAA Semifinals
May 23, 2019 | Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, FLA.--USC's top seeded pair of Angela Kulikov and Rianna Valdes are in hot pursuit of a national championship as the duo defeated Tulsa's No. 14 ranked Martina Oklalova/Vera Ploner today (May 23) at the NCAA Doubles Championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. With the victory over the Hurricanes, USC advances to the NCAA Semifinals.
Kulikov/Valdes become the third Trojan duo ever to reach the NCAA Doubles Semifinals. The last pair to make a semifinal appearance for the Women of Troy was Kaitlyn Christian and Sabrina Santamaria who advanced to the Semifinals in 2013. The Trojan tandem would go on to the 2013 NCAA Doubles National Championship.
"It's a huge accomplishment for the girls to be the third Trojan pair to reach the NCAA Semifinals," said head coach Alison Swain. "They have really put in the work, and they deserve it. It's great to see them going on court confident and calm. I think one of the difference makers in the last few matches has really been the deuce points. We've been playing them aggressively and in our game style, and it's helped us get early leads."
Junior Kulikov and senior Valdes were locked in throughout the first set as they claimed an impressive 5-0 lead. Oklalova/Ploner went on the break the Women of Troy to claim the next game. This did not affect USC's mental focus as they came back to win the next game and nab the first set 6-1. Although the Trojans never gave up the lead, the Hurricanes stayed close behind with a 3-2 score to start the second set. Kulikov/Valdes kicked into high gear to power through the rest of the set and claim a dominating 6-2 win.
"I think it was a super clean match," said Angela Kulikov. "We've been playing our best doubles all week, but still getting better with each match. It's exciting to be putting on such great performances and still know we can do even better tomorrow."
The No. 1 ranked Kulikov/Valdes will face off against the winner of No. 5 Andrews/Broomfield (UCLA) and No. 12 Jones/Morra (North Carolina) tomorrow afternoon (May 24) in the NCAA Semifinals.
Kulikov/Valdes become the third Trojan duo ever to reach the NCAA Doubles Semifinals. The last pair to make a semifinal appearance for the Women of Troy was Kaitlyn Christian and Sabrina Santamaria who advanced to the Semifinals in 2013. The Trojan tandem would go on to the 2013 NCAA Doubles National Championship.
"It's a huge accomplishment for the girls to be the third Trojan pair to reach the NCAA Semifinals," said head coach Alison Swain. "They have really put in the work, and they deserve it. It's great to see them going on court confident and calm. I think one of the difference makers in the last few matches has really been the deuce points. We've been playing them aggressively and in our game style, and it's helped us get early leads."
Junior Kulikov and senior Valdes were locked in throughout the first set as they claimed an impressive 5-0 lead. Oklalova/Ploner went on the break the Women of Troy to claim the next game. This did not affect USC's mental focus as they came back to win the next game and nab the first set 6-1. Although the Trojans never gave up the lead, the Hurricanes stayed close behind with a 3-2 score to start the second set. Kulikov/Valdes kicked into high gear to power through the rest of the set and claim a dominating 6-2 win.
"I think it was a super clean match," said Angela Kulikov. "We've been playing our best doubles all week, but still getting better with each match. It's exciting to be putting on such great performances and still know we can do even better tomorrow."
The No. 1 ranked Kulikov/Valdes will face off against the winner of No. 5 Andrews/Broomfield (UCLA) and No. 12 Jones/Morra (North Carolina) tomorrow afternoon (May 24) in the NCAA Semifinals.
NCAA WOMEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Round of 32 - May 21
[1] Angela Kulikov/Rianna Valdes (USC) def. Ellyse Hamlin/Kaitlyn McCarthy (Duke) - 6-1, 6-3
Round of 16 - May 22
[1] Angela Kulikov/Rianna Valdes (USC) def. Graciela Rosas/Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga) - 6-1, 6-4
Quarterfinals - May 23
[1] Angela Kulikov/Rianna Valdes (USC) def. Martina Okalova/Vera Ploner (Tulsa) - 6-1, 6-2
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18
Monday, April 14
Tuesday, November 05
