NORMAN, Okla. (10/16/25) – Sophomores Lilly Cvanciger and Carla Muro Castellvi advanced to the singles main draw on Thursday, as the Arkansas State women’s tennis team picked up five singles and a doubles win on the first day of the ITA Central Regional Championships.

Cvanciger opened the day with a straight-set victory over Alessandra Xibilia of Kansas City, winning 6-2, 6-1. She punched her ticket to the main draw with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 comeback against Diana Smolinska of Kansas State.

Muro Castellvi began with straight-set victory over Luciana Braga of Kansas City, winning 6-2, 6-1. She then clinched her spot in the main draw with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 triumph over Alex Ackman of Missouri.

“It was a long day of tennis, but a rewarding one with some great wins,” said Muro Castellvi. “The team showed incredible fight and resilience, and I couldn’t be prouder. All the hard work is showing.”

Senior Sarah Millard opened play with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against Zhanel Rustemova of Kansas State, but came up short against Carolina Alonso of Tulsa, 6-2, 6-3, for a spot in the main draw. Hanmare McAslin faced Zoe Lazar of Missouri in her opener, battling to a 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 setback.

In doubles action Thursday, Cvanciger and Muro Castellvi teamed up for an 8-3 win over Coral Valle and Uta Asakura of Tulsa. Anna Grigoreva and McAslin came up just short, 8-7 (4), against Lilitha Sithenkosi Ndungane and erin McKenzie of Tulsa.

Cvanciger and Muro Castellvi join Anna Grigerova in the singles main draw that begins Friday. Doubles play will also continue Friday.

A-State competes for berths in both singles and doubles at the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships, which are automatically awarded to singles finalists and doubles champions at each of the 13 regional sites. The main draws feature 64 singles players and 32 doubles teams.  

Singles Qualifying Draw
Thursday
Lilly Cvanciger def Alessandra Xibilia (Kansas City) 6-2, 6-1
Sarah Millard def Zhanel Rustemova (Kansas State) 6-1, 6-4
Carla Muro Castellvi def Luciana Braga (Kansas City) 6-2, 6-1
Zoe Lazar (Missouri) def Hanmare McAslin 6-1, 3-6, 7-5
Lilly Cvanciger def Diana Smolinska (Kansas State) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
Carla Muro Castellvi def Alex Ackman (Missouri) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Carolina Alonso (Tulsa) def Sarah Millard 6-2, 6-3
 

Doubles Main Draw
Thursday
R64 – Carla Muro Castellvi/Lily Cvanciger def Valle/Asakura (Tulsa) – 8-3
R64 –Ndungane/McKenzie (Tulsa) def Hanmare McAslin/Anna Grigoreva 8-7 (4)