Nov 01, 2026 | Tennis
Three women went 6-4 in singles competition and 3-1 in doubles play
WACO, Texas- The K-State women's tennis team concluded the H-E-B Invitational on Sunday (November 1) with three Wildcats competing at the Hurd Tennis Center. Over four days in the hidden dual tournament, the women went 6-4 in singles play and 3-1 in doubles competition.
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As a duo, senior Margaret Jaraczewski and sophomore Diana Smolinska went undefeated in the final two matches in 8-game pro sets. On Saturday (October 31) they battled fiercely against Iowa State's Maria de la Paz Alberto and Alicia Day, going back and forth to reach a tiebreaker. The competition did not waver as they surpassed 10 points in order to end up victorious 8-7 (13-11). The two then defeated Diana Khaydarshina and Laia Tarazona Peyro from UTSA more soundly at 8-4.
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In the afternoon, Jaraczewski and sophomore Varya Bernovich competed in three set matches individually, both coming out on top. Facing the Cyclones' Valentina Vargas, Bernovich started off going scoreless in the first set but bounced back to force a third set and collected a win with similar scoring at 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
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Versus UTSA's Akari Tomoyose, Jaraczewski started off claiming the first set but after losing her footing and going scoreless in the next she had to bounce back for a 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 win. As the only Wildcat to compete in singles on Sunday, she went 2-2 during the tournament after a loss to the hosting Bears' Duanrui Gao 4-6, 0-6 to end competition.
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The fall season slowly comes to an end with the ITA Central Sectional for qualifying individuals, including freshman Marta Leon, on Thursday-Sunday, November 5-8, back in Texas hosted by TCU at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth.
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FROM THE COURTS
Assistant Coach Maria Linares
On how the three women battled all four days of competition…
"I am very happy with their performance this week. It is never easy to bounce back after the first day performance but I was very pleased the way they showed up for the rest of the competition. They had challenges where they needed to do things they were not comfortable with and at the end it worked in their favor. It's a good way for them to finish their last fall tournament this way."
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H-E-B Invitational
Hurd Tennis Center
Waco, Texas
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Saturday, October 31
Singles Competition
Varya Bernovich (KSU) def. Valentina Vargas (ISU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-4
Ligaya Murray (BU) def. Diana Smolinska (KSU) 6-4, 6-1
Margaret Jaraczewski (KSU) def. Akari Tomoyose (UTSA) 6-2, 0-6, 6-4
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Doubles Competition
Margaret Jaraczewski/Diana Smolinska (KSU) def. Maria de la Paz Alberto/Alicia Day (ISU) 8-7 (13-11)
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Sunday, November 1
Singles Competition
Duanrui Gao (BU) def. Margaret Jaraczewski (KSU) 6-4, 6-0
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Doubles Competition
Margaret Jaraczewski/Diana Smolinska (KSU) def. Diana Khaydarshina/Laia Tarazona Peyro (UTSA) 8-4
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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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As a duo, senior Margaret Jaraczewski and sophomore Diana Smolinska went undefeated in the final two matches in 8-game pro sets. On Saturday (October 31) they battled fiercely against Iowa State's Maria de la Paz Alberto and Alicia Day, going back and forth to reach a tiebreaker. The competition did not waver as they surpassed 10 points in order to end up victorious 8-7 (13-11). The two then defeated Diana Khaydarshina and Laia Tarazona Peyro from UTSA more soundly at 8-4.
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In the afternoon, Jaraczewski and sophomore Varya Bernovich competed in three set matches individually, both coming out on top. Facing the Cyclones' Valentina Vargas, Bernovich started off going scoreless in the first set but bounced back to force a third set and collected a win with similar scoring at 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
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Versus UTSA's Akari Tomoyose, Jaraczewski started off claiming the first set but after losing her footing and going scoreless in the next she had to bounce back for a 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 win. As the only Wildcat to compete in singles on Sunday, she went 2-2 during the tournament after a loss to the hosting Bears' Duanrui Gao 4-6, 0-6 to end competition.
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The fall season slowly comes to an end with the ITA Central Sectional for qualifying individuals, including freshman Marta Leon, on Thursday-Sunday, November 5-8, back in Texas hosted by TCU at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth.
Â
FROM THE COURTS
Assistant Coach Maria Linares
On how the three women battled all four days of competition…
"I am very happy with their performance this week. It is never easy to bounce back after the first day performance but I was very pleased the way they showed up for the rest of the competition. They had challenges where they needed to do things they were not comfortable with and at the end it worked in their favor. It's a good way for them to finish their last fall tournament this way."
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H-E-B Invitational
Hurd Tennis Center
Waco, Texas
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Saturday, October 31
Singles Competition
Varya Bernovich (KSU) def. Valentina Vargas (ISU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-4
Ligaya Murray (BU) def. Diana Smolinska (KSU) 6-4, 6-1
Margaret Jaraczewski (KSU) def. Akari Tomoyose (UTSA) 6-2, 0-6, 6-4
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Doubles Competition
Margaret Jaraczewski/Diana Smolinska (KSU) def. Maria de la Paz Alberto/Alicia Day (ISU) 8-7 (13-11)
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Sunday, November 1
Singles Competition
Duanrui Gao (BU) def. Margaret Jaraczewski (KSU) 6-4, 6-0
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Doubles Competition
Margaret Jaraczewski/Diana Smolinska (KSU) def. Diana Khaydarshina/Laia Tarazona Peyro (UTSA) 8-4
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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.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, August 27
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 14
Thursday, April 09
