This fall, Iowa women’s tennis has done something remarkable. The Hawkeyes have successfully changed the narrative surrounding the team.

At the beginning of the season, the Hawkeyes appeared to be scrappy underdogs seeking an NCAA tournament berth. Now, Iowa seems to be a realistic pick to make the NCAA tournament.

Last weekend, the Hawkeyes continued to beef up their fall résumé. Iowa navigated its way to Norman, Oklahoma, for ITA regionals. Once in Oklahoma, Iowa found great success on the court.

After multiple draw-determining rounds on Thursday, an impressive four Hawkeyes advanced to the tournament’s main draw: Danielle Burich, Michelle Bacalla, Ashleigh Jacobs, and Elise Van Heuvelen Treadwell.

Freshman Erika Dodridge and junior Danielle Bauers did not make the main draw  but won their consolation matches in the latter half of the day.

“We always expect to qualify for main draw so it’s tough to miss on that for a couple kids,” head coach Sasha Schmid said. “No doubt tomorrow will be a great day of competitive tennis for everyone.”

Last Friday proved to be competitive, just as Schmid predicted. In singles, two of three competing Hawkeyes advanced out of the preliminary round of 128 athletes. Ashleigh Jacobs defeated Oleksandra Nahurska in four sets, and Burich took down Shura Poppe in three sets.

After the round of 128, only one Hawkeye advanced out of the round of 64. Van Heuvelen Treadwell dismantled River Hart in straight sets. The senior then went on to extinguish Alana Wolfberg in the round of 32. Van Heuvelen Treadwell even emerged victorious in the Sweet 16 defeating Oklahoma’s Camila Romero.

“Elise made progress in this tournament and she knows her plan going forward,” Schmid said. “She is committed to staying the course, and it will be fun to see her grow from match to match this season.”

Despite losing to Dariya Detkovskaya in the Elite Eight, Van Heuvelen Treadwell proved why she is the leader of her team. In addition to her success in singles, Van Heuvelen Treadwell showcased her talent in doubles.

Van Heuvelen Treadwell was paired with Bauers for doubles play. The duo handily won their first match in the doubles round of 64 before being defeated in the round of 32.

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All three Hawkeye doubles tandems advanced out of the round of 64, then subsequently lost in the round of 32. Advancing a round is an accomplishment that Iowa will continue to build on.

“It was good to see all three doubles teams advance to the round of 32,” Schmid said. “Michelle and Ashleigh battled for an exciting doubles win in a tiebreaker over Tulsa.”

Last weekend saw the Hawkeyes important experience in a deep field of competition. Iowa participated in 35 matches on the weekend. The Hawkeyes went 16-13 in singles matches and 3-3 in doubles matches, for an overall record of 19-16.

As they have all season, the Hawkeyes continued to defy expectations in Norman. The impressive highlights of the Hawkeyes’ weekend are further proof that they are closer than ever before to making the NCAA tournament.