Wildcats Wrap Up Run at ITA Central Regional Championship
Oct 18, 2026 | Tennis
The team competed in 32 singles matches, went 7-0 in three-set matches and faced three ranked opponents
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The K-State women's tennis team wrapped up their trip to the ITA Central Regional Championship on Sunday (October 18) with just two matches on the fourth day, including a quarterfinal singles match at Leftwich Tennis Center.
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Freshman Marta Leon competed in the quarterfinal round, her sixth match of the tournament, facing Wichita State's Xin Tong Wang, ranked #117 in the ITA preseason poll. In a close battle the young Wildcat could not swing the momentum in her favor as she fell short in two similar scoring sets, 4-6, 4-6.
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With her advancement to the quarterfinals, Leon qualified for the ITA Central Sectional Championship set for November 5-8 in Fort Worth, Texas. Starting with two matches in the qualifying round on Thursday, the native of Balearic Island, Spain, competed in six matches over four days, sweeping five opponents in just two sets.
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"Obviously, major congrats to Marta Leon making a run to the quarters in singles after having to qualify into the tournament on Thursday," head coach Jordan Smith said. "That was really impressive and happy to see her shine so early in her career."
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The Wildcats competed in a total of 32 singles matches with a winning tally of 19 matches. With five doubles teams, the Cats went 5-7 in doubles play. The team battled to a 7-0 record in three set matches, senior Margaret Jaraczewski owned three of those victories, while also encountering seven tiebreaker sets.
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"I thought we did a solid job as a team competing," Smith added. "Great to see our players tally up a lot of wins in singles this week. As well as seeing one of our teams make a run to the quarters."
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During the tournament, freshman Sabrina Balderrama and sophomore Varya Bernovich reached the doubles quarterfinal round on Saturday after securing another three wins in 8-game pro sets. The duo is now 6-1 through two tournaments this fall, previously securing a bracket title during the Hoosier Classic on October 2-4.
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On Friday during the main draw first round, Balderrama defeated #107 Leonie Moeller from Memphis in a tough three set match, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4. During the second round, senior Maralgoo Chogsomjav fell short to #108 Zoie Epps from Oklahoma in the second round, 5-7, 0-6.
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The Wildcats will forgo competition this upcoming weekend and look ahead to the H-E-B Invitational set for October 30-November 1 in Waco, Texas, hosted by Baylor.
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FROM THE COURTS
Head Coach Jordan Smith
On how all the individuals competed collectively…
"It was great to finally be at an event with the entire team in one place. This week is always a mental and physical grind each year. Especially, when most of our players had to play three matches a day on Thursday and Friday."
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On the achievements throughout four days of competition...
"Proud of Varya and Sabrina for continuing their doubles success from Indiana. Sabrina also picked up her first nationally ranked win in singles which was awesome by another freshman. Finally, it was great to see MJ and Diana picking up multiple wins in their return to form in singles."
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ITA Central Regional
Leftwich Tennis Center
Memphis, Tenn.
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Singles Competition- Main Draw Quarterfinals
#117 Xin Tong Wang (WSU) def. Marta Leon (KSU) 6-4, 6-4
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Extra Matches
Chloe Noel (OU) def. Martaa Chogsomjav (KSU) 6-0, 6-0
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Tennis Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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Freshman Marta Leon competed in the quarterfinal round, her sixth match of the tournament, facing Wichita State's Xin Tong Wang, ranked #117 in the ITA preseason poll. In a close battle the young Wildcat could not swing the momentum in her favor as she fell short in two similar scoring sets, 4-6, 4-6.
Â
With her advancement to the quarterfinals, Leon qualified for the ITA Central Sectional Championship set for November 5-8 in Fort Worth, Texas. Starting with two matches in the qualifying round on Thursday, the native of Balearic Island, Spain, competed in six matches over four days, sweeping five opponents in just two sets.
Â
"Obviously, major congrats to Marta Leon making a run to the quarters in singles after having to qualify into the tournament on Thursday," head coach Jordan Smith said. "That was really impressive and happy to see her shine so early in her career."
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The Wildcats competed in a total of 32 singles matches with a winning tally of 19 matches. With five doubles teams, the Cats went 5-7 in doubles play. The team battled to a 7-0 record in three set matches, senior Margaret Jaraczewski owned three of those victories, while also encountering seven tiebreaker sets.
Â
"I thought we did a solid job as a team competing," Smith added. "Great to see our players tally up a lot of wins in singles this week. As well as seeing one of our teams make a run to the quarters."
Â
During the tournament, freshman Sabrina Balderrama and sophomore Varya Bernovich reached the doubles quarterfinal round on Saturday after securing another three wins in 8-game pro sets. The duo is now 6-1 through two tournaments this fall, previously securing a bracket title during the Hoosier Classic on October 2-4.
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On Friday during the main draw first round, Balderrama defeated #107 Leonie Moeller from Memphis in a tough three set match, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4. During the second round, senior Maralgoo Chogsomjav fell short to #108 Zoie Epps from Oklahoma in the second round, 5-7, 0-6.
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The Wildcats will forgo competition this upcoming weekend and look ahead to the H-E-B Invitational set for October 30-November 1 in Waco, Texas, hosted by Baylor.
Â
FROM THE COURTS
Head Coach Jordan Smith
On how all the individuals competed collectively…
"It was great to finally be at an event with the entire team in one place. This week is always a mental and physical grind each year. Especially, when most of our players had to play three matches a day on Thursday and Friday."
Â
On the achievements throughout four days of competition...
"Proud of Varya and Sabrina for continuing their doubles success from Indiana. Sabrina also picked up her first nationally ranked win in singles which was awesome by another freshman. Finally, it was great to see MJ and Diana picking up multiple wins in their return to form in singles."
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ITA Central Regional
Leftwich Tennis Center
Memphis, Tenn.
Â
Singles Competition- Main Draw Quarterfinals
#117 Xin Tong Wang (WSU) def. Marta Leon (KSU) 6-4, 6-4
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Extra Matches
Chloe Noel (OU) def. Martaa Chogsomjav (KSU) 6-0, 6-0
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-- k-statesports.com --
 How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Tennis Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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