CHICAGO, IL--For the fourth consecutive year, and ninth time overall, the UChicago women's tennis team has claimed the ITA Central Region Doubles Championship.
 
The 2023 installment was an all-Maroon affair, as two-time defending champions Shianna Guo and Sylwia Mikos squared off against first year Oliwia Mikos and graduate transfer Rena Lin in a heavy hitting affair on the maroon and silver courts at UChicago.  The first set saw the newcomers race out to a 5-2 lead behind Oliwia Mikos punishing groundstrokes and Lin's smooth net get. However, the defending champions would not go quietly as they battled back to knot the first set at 5-5. Mikos and Lin secured a hard-fought break of serve before Lin served out the set with an unreturnable serve.
 
The second set featured more booming groundstrokes, crisp volleys, and big serving from both teams, with the level high and errors at a minimum. Once again, Mikos and Lin jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead, but this time wouldn't relinquish the momentum en route to a 7-6, 6-2 victory.  With their win, Mikos and Lin earn the first All-American accolades of their careers and will advance to the ITA Cup in Rome, GA October 12-16. By virtue of their championship match appearance, the team of Guo and Mikos will also join their Maroon teammates at the ITA Cup for the third consecutive year.
 
When asked after the match about her first competitive college matches in over two years, Rena Lin remarked, "It was really cool to compete again, and especially at such an awesome tournament. Winning was sort of a secondary thought behind how much fun it was playing doubles again and especially with Oliwia, so it was a great weekend."
 
Oliwia Mikos, after winning the championship and being named All-American before she even attended her first class responded, "Coming into regionals as a freshman, I wasn't expecting many results but rather looked to play my best game and stay focused. Winning the doubles title is a huge accomplishment, and I'm looking forward to playing ITA cup with my amazing partner, as well as carrying on this success throughout the rest of the season."
 
Next up for the Maroons will be the WMU Invitational in Kalamazoo, Michigan September 28-29, before heading to Rome, Georgia for the ITA Cup October 12-16.