ITA Regionals
Gajete, Muzichenko lead Kats at ITA Texas Regional
10/13/2026 9:45:00 AM | Women's Tennis
WACO – Freshmen Maria Gajete and Veronika Muzichenko each earned singles victories to lead Sam Houston at the ITA Texas Regional Championship, which concluded Monday at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center.
Gajete and Muzichenko both bounced back from opening-round qualifying losses with straight-set victories in the consolation draw. Gajete defeated UTSA's Aoka Nagasawa 6-1, 6-2, while Muzichenko earned a 6-4, 6-4 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Adriana Jimenez Casado.
Gajete also teamed with Sara Khamitova for a victory in the opening round of the doubles draw. The Bearkat duo defeated Abilene Christian's Jessica Board and Alejandra Corroto Etchenique 8-5 before falling to Houston's Iva Sepa and Petja Drame in the second round.
Anamaria Kurtsikashvili represented the Bearkats in the main singles draw and advanced in the consolation bracket following a walkover. Kurtsikashvili and Muzichenko also competed together in the doubles draw.
Sam Houston will return home to host the Bearkat Invitational on Oct. 16-18 at the Chuck and Wanda Beckner Tennis Center.
2026 ITA TEXAS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – Oct. 8-12, 2026
MAIN SINGLES DRAW
First round – Gabriela Felix da Silva (UTSA) def. Anamaria Kurtsikashvili (SHSU) 6-0, 6-4
MAIN SINGLES CONSOLATION
Consolation – Kurtsikashvili (SHSU) advanced over Yana Mykytyn (AMCC), walkover
Consolation – Carolina Laydner (UNT) def. Kurtsikashvili (SHSU), withdrawal (injury)
QUALIFYING SINGLES DRAW
First round – Victoria Jordana Salcedo Franklin (UIW) def. Sara Khamitova (SHSU) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
First round – Gabrielle Villegas (Baylor) def. Maria Gajete (SHSU) 6-3, 6-1
First round – Kim Kuehbauer (Texas State) def. Veronika Muzichenko (SHSU) 6-0, 6-2
QUALIFYING SINGLES CONSOLATION
Consolation – Celine Absawi (UTSA) def. Khamitova (SHSU) 6-1, 6-0
Consolation – Gajete (SHSU) def. Aoka Nagasawa (UTSA) 6-1, 6-2
Consolation – Muzichenko (SHSU) def. Adriana Jimenez Casado (AMCC) 6-4, 6-4
DOUBLES DRAW
First round – Khamitova/Gajete (SHSU) def. Jessica Board/Alejandra Corroto Etchenique (ACU) 8-5
First round – Victoria Correa/Alem Cote (ACU) def. Kurtsikashvili/Muzichenko (SHSU) 8-4
Second round – Iva Sepa/Petja Drame (Houston) def. Khamitova/Gajete (SHSU) 8-3
