Three Bulldogs Advance to ITA All-American Singles Qualifying

Saturday, September 19

Cary, NC

University of Georgia

ITA All American Championships

Three Bulldogs Advance to ITA All-American Singles Qualifying

September 20, 2026 | Women's Tennis

Cary, N.C. — Three Bulldogs advanced to the singles qualifying draw Sunday at the ITA All-American Championships, as Bella Payne, Nadia Lagaev and Patricija Paukstyte each won their pre-qualifying finals. Payne and Paukstyte also advanced in doubles with a Round of 16 victory.

Fast Facts:

Payne posted a 6-0, 6-4 victory over San Diego State's Tea Lukic to reach the pre-qualifying final.
Lagaev cruised past Purdue's Nehir Dogan, 6-1, 6-0, to earn a spot in the final.
Paukstyte defeated Columbia's Gayathri Krishnon, 6-2, 6-2, to advance to the pre-qualifying final.
Payne followed with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Texas' Mathilde Ngijol Carre to secure her spot in the qualifying draw.
Lagaev defeated Notre Dame's Jessica Kovalcik, 6-2, 6-1, to punch her ticket to qualifying.
Paukstyte completed the sweep with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Arkansas' Alexandra Panagiotidou, sending all three Bulldogs into the qualifying draw.
Ava Rodriguez battled Nebraska's Maria Taranova through two sets before falling, 6-0, 7-6(4), in the pre-qualifying consolation draw.
In doubles Payne and Paukstyte continued their run with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Penn State's Patricia Grigoras and Maelie Monfils in the pre-qualifying Round of 16.
Rodriguez and Lagaev pushed Michigan State's Amara Brahmbhatt and Ellie Blackford to a match tiebreak before falling, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0(7), in the pre-qualifying consolation Round of 16.

Today's results:
Singles:
Pre-Qualifying Semifinals
Bella Payne (UGA) def. Tea Lukic (SDSU): 6-0, 6-4
Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. Nehir Dogan (PUR): 6-1, 6-0
Patricija Paukstyte (UGA) def. Gayathri Krishnon (COLUMBIA): 6-2, 6-2

Pre-Qualifying Finals
Bella Payne (UGA) vs. Mathilde Ngijol Carre (TEX): 6-1, 6-3
Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. Jessica Kovalcik (NDU): 6-2, 6-1
Patricija Paukstyte (UGA) def. Alexandra Panagiotidou (ARK): 6-0, 6-1

Pre-Qualifying Consolation
Maria Taranova (NEB) def. Ava Rodriguez (UGA): 6-0, 7-6(4)

Doubles:
Pre-Qualifying R16
Bella Payne/Patricija Paukstyte (UGA) def. Patricia Grigoras/Maelie Monfils (PSU): 6-2, 6-1
Pre-Qualifying Consolation R16
Amara Brahmbhatt/Ellie Blackford (MSU) def. Ava Rodriguez/Nadia Lagaev (UGA): 6-4, 3-6, 1-0(7)

Up Next:
Payne, Lagaev and Paukstyte will join No. 80 Linea Bajraliu in the singles qualifying draw, which runs Sept. 21-22. In doubles qualifying, Emma Dong and Bajraliu will team up, while Ranah Stoiber and Anastasiia Gureva will compete together, with both doubles draws beginning Sept. 21. The ITA All-American Championships main draw will follow Sept. 23-27.

ITA All-Americans
Date: Sept. 19-27
Location: Cary, N.C.
Site: Cary Tennis Park
Tournament Central Page: LINK HERE
Live Stream: LINK HERE

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