Appalachian State University's women's tennis team concluded a successful weekend at the Bedford Cup, held at the United States Air Force Academy, by advancing to multiple finals in both singles and doubles play and securing several wins throughout the tournament. The Mountaineers showcased their competitive prowess across various draws, with several players making deep runs in their respective competitions.
The doubles segment of the tournament saw two Appalachian State pairs reach their final matches. Freshman Lily Bazemore and fifth-year Isabela Romanichen formed a formidable duo, successfully moving through their bracket to reach the doubles final in the Varsity 9 draw. Their path to the championship match included a key victory over opponents from Colorado State University. In a hard-fought final contest, Bazemore and Romanichen ultimately secured the runner-up position, falling to the Air Force pairing with a close score of 7-6. Their performance underscored a strong debut for the freshman and a consistent showing for the veteran player.
In another doubles draw, sophomores Sreenidhi Balaji and Allegra Hodson also demonstrated their skill by reaching the doubles final in the Varsity 3 draw. Their impressive run included a decisive 7-5 victory against Utah State University in the semifinals, which propelled them into the final round. In the championship match of their draw, Balaji and Hodson competed against the University of New Mexico, where they were defeated with a score of 6-3. The achievements of both doubles teams highlighted the depth and competitive spirit of the App State roster.
The singles competitions also featured strong performances from the Mountaineers. Senior Naledi Manyube made a significant impact by advancing to the quarterfinals in the women’s open draw. Manyube secured her spot in the quarterfinals after a commanding victory over an opponent from the University of Idaho, winning her match with scores of 6-4, 6-1. Further demonstrating the team's individual strength, junior Ruby Broadbent, senior Taya Powell, Allegra Hodson, and Lily Bazemore all successfully navigated their brackets to also reach the quarterfinals. This collective presence in the advanced stages of the singles draws underscored the team's broad talent pool.
The momentum carried into the semifinals, with several Mountaineers competing for a chance at a singles title. Sreenidhi Balaji, junior Alexi Cleveland, and freshman Kate Bumgardner each competed in singles finals on Sunday. Junior Alexi Cleveland faced a challenging match in her final, ultimately falling to an opponent from Idaho with scores of 6-4, 6-4. Similarly, freshman Kate Bumgardner competed in her singles final, where she was defeated by an opponent from New Mexico. While the specific outcomes for Balaji in the finals were not detailed, her participation, alongside Cleveland and Bumgardner, in the finals stage of the tournament capped off a weekend of intense competition and valuable experience for the App State women's tennis program.
Looking ahead to their next event, the Appalachian State women's tennis team will transition from road competition to hosting duties. The Mountaineers are scheduled to host the Mountaineer Hidden Dual in Boone, with matches set to take place from October 2 through October 4. This upcoming event will provide another opportunity for the team to compete on their home courts.
