Staff Writer- Maddie Low
Gustavus Women’s Tennis performed excellently this past weekend as they hosted and competed in the 2026 ITA DIII Women’s Midwest Regional Championships. The No. 15 nationally ranked Gusties rounded out the opening day with six in the singles draw advancing to the Round of 32 and four doubles duos advancing to the Sweet 16.
Junior Karina Elvestrom, ending this weekend a three time Midwest Regional Singles Champion title holder, had a bye during the opening round and then took on and defeated Sophia Cosgrove (St. Scholastica) 6-1, 6-1 in the Round of 64. “I am super grateful to have had the success that I’ve had this weekend, especially to earn All-American recognition for the third year in a row. But there were definitely a couple matches that could have gone the other way, and in tennis, things can change so quickly. I try to take everything one match at a time.” Elvestrom says.
The weekend was stacked with wins by Jemima Vitou, Ella De Young, Noor Omar, Rika Cross, and Rory Wahlstrand. Elvestrom and Wahlstrand began their doubles run against Faith Simon and Ashley King (St. Catherine) with an 8-4 win in the Round of 32. Vitou and Melat Tabara crushed Alice Tysoe and Aliandra Hagness (Coe) 8-7 (7-4) in the first round and then grabbed another win over Michaela Clark and Mac Graves (Cornell), 8-4, to move on. De Young and Lanie Davis closed out Molly Jex and Sarah Wilde (Dubuque) 8-0 in the second round. Omar and Maya Brakhage had their first win in their first round match against Marie Pelletier and Lily Holmberg (St. Catherine), 8-3, then secured their spot in the Sweet 16 with an 8-2 win against Mya Nelson and Ellie Huber (St. Ben’s) in round two.
Their second day put three Gusties through to the singles quarterfinals and three doubles duos into the semifinals. Omar fought for a 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-5) victory over Sophia Fain (Coe) to advance to the Sweet 16. She then took on Michaela Sullivan (Bethel), rallying for a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 1-0 (10-4) win, advancing to the regional quarterfinals. “The highlight of this weekend was definitely winning my quarterfinal match against Kylie Pickens from Carleton and advancing to the semifinals.After I won the full third set, my teammates rushed the court, and that moment made me feel so supported and at home.” Omar says.
Wahlstrand made an incredible statement for herself in her first ever ITA Regional. The freshman advanced to the quarterfinals on the second day. The duo of Elvestrom and Wahlstrand advanced onto the regional semifinals, then snagged their place in the Final Four with a victory over Michaela Sullivan and Keller (Bethel). The Davis and De Young duo also moved into the Final Four. Omar and Brakhage advanced to the doubles semifinals as well.
In the final day, Gustavus was filled with pride as their players dove headfirst into their last few matches of the weekend. The regional championship was a match between two Gustavus doubles teams as Elvestrom and Wahlstrand faced off against Davis and De Young after the latter duo won their semifinal match 8-7 (7-4) against their teammates Omar and Brakhage. In an all-out battle for the doubles title, Davis and De Young had an early lead with a 7-5 victory in the opening set.
Elvestrom and Wahlstrand pushed back to take the second set, 7-5, as the title fight moved onto a tiebreaker to decide the champion. The intense tiebreaker ended with Elvestrom and Wahlstrand winning 10-7, completing their 5-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-7) comeback victory and securing the doubles championship.
In addition to the final two rounds of the doubles draw, the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the singles draw were played as well. Elvestrom, defending her Regional Singles title, advanced to the title match for a third year in a row. The junior won her Elite Eight match 6-2, 6-1 over Shelby Roth (UW-LaCrosse).
Elvestrom then blew out her semifinals match 6-0, 6-0 against Michaela Clark (Cornell). Wahlstrand won both matches to play for the regional title against her teammate and fellow regional doubles champion Elvestrom. The Gustie Freshman took down Abigail Weaver (UW-Whitewater) 7-5, 7-5 putting her in a semifinal match against her teammate, Omar. Wahlstrand defeated Omar 6-2, 6-0 to earn the right to compete for her first regional singles title. Monday morning, Elvestrom took the win against Wahlstrand to yet again secure the singles title, 7-6, 6-4.
Gustavus absolutely dominated the ITA Regional this year with three of the final four semifinalists in both singles and doubles draws being taken by Gusties. As the finalists for the singles, Elvestrom and Wahlstrand will be competing in the national ITA Cup, October 15-18.
The team has a strong and deep connection that they believe will take them far this season. “Being a student athlete at Gustavus and being part of such an amazing and welcoming team has been an incredible experience.” Omar says. She continues, “This is one of the most supportive groups of people you will ever meet. My teammates are always there for each other, both on and off the court. Coming to Gustavus was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself, and this team is a huge reason why.”
The team will compete at the two-day UW-Whitewater Invite, beginning Friday, October 9.