University of Georgia Athletics
Four Bulldogs Advance to Next Round of ITA All-American Qualifying
September 21, 2026 | Women's Tennis
Cary, N.C. — Four Bulldogs advanced to the next round of singles qualifying Tuesday at the ITA All-American Championships, as Bella Payne, Nadia Lagaev, Patricija Paukstyte and No. 80 Linea Bajraliu each earned straight-set victories. Payne and Paukstyte also advanced to the next round of doubles qualifying with a dominant win.
Fast Facts:
Singles:
Qualifying R64
Bella Payne (UGA) def. #103 Alian Zack (BAYLOR): 7-6(O), 6-2
Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. #101 Aya El Aouni (LSU): 6-2, 6-2
Patricija Paukstyte (UGA) def. #63 Addison Lanton (LSU): 7-6(6), 6-4
#80 Linea Bajraliu (UGA) def. Maddy Zampardo (UNC): 7-5, 6-1
Doubles:
Qualifying R32
#40 Salakthip Ounmang/Zoie Epps (OKLA) def. Linea Bajraliu/Emma Dong (UGA): 6-4, 6-4
Patricija Paukstyte/Bella Payne (UGA) def. #62 Katie Spencer/Conley Raidt (NEB): 6-1, 6-2
#60 Bianca Molnar/Gabriella Rawles (NDU) def. Ranah Stoiber/Anastasiia Gureva (UGA): 7-5, 6-2
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will continue in singles qualifying Wednesday, with action beginning at 9 a.m. Payne, Paukstyte, Lagaev and Bajraliu will each compete in the next round of the qualifying draw. Payne and Paukstyte will also continue in doubles qualifying at 4 p.m. The remaining Bulldogs will compete in doubles consolation.
ITA All-Americans
Date: Sept. 19-27
Location: Cary, N.C.
Site: Cary Tennis Park
Tournament Central Page: LINK HERE
Live Stream: LINK HERE
Mert Earns First WTA Victory at Ankara Open
Georgia senior Aysegul Mert earned the first WTA victory of her career Tuesday, defeating No. 362-ranked Isabella Shinikova of Bulgaria, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, in the Round of 32 at the WTA 125 Turk Telekom Ankara Open. After dropping the opening set, Mert rallied to win the final two sets and advance to the Round of 16.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on X @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Fast Facts:
- Payne opened qualifying with a 7-6(0), 6-2 victory over Baylor's No. 103 Alian Zack to advance to the next round.
- Lagaev cruised past LSU's No. 101 Aya El Aouni, 6-2, 6-2, to move on in the qualifying draw.
- Paukstyte picked up a ranked victory over LSU's No. 63 Addison Lanton, 7-6(6), 6-4, to advance.
- No. 80 Bajraliu rounded out Georgia's singles victories with a 7-5, 6-1 win over North Carolina's Maddy Zampardo.
- In doubles, Payne and Paukstyte advanced to the next round of qualifying with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Nebraska's No. 62 Katie Spencer and Conley Raidt.
- Emma Dong and Bajraliu fell to Oklahoma's No. 40 Salakthip Ounmang and Zoie Epps, 6-4, 6-4, while Ranah Stoiber and Anastasiia Gureva dropped a 7-5, 6-2 decision to Notre Dame's No. 60 Bianca Molnar and Gabriella Rawles.
Singles:
Qualifying R64
Bella Payne (UGA) def. #103 Alian Zack (BAYLOR): 7-6(O), 6-2
Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. #101 Aya El Aouni (LSU): 6-2, 6-2
Patricija Paukstyte (UGA) def. #63 Addison Lanton (LSU): 7-6(6), 6-4
#80 Linea Bajraliu (UGA) def. Maddy Zampardo (UNC): 7-5, 6-1
Doubles:
Qualifying R32
#40 Salakthip Ounmang/Zoie Epps (OKLA) def. Linea Bajraliu/Emma Dong (UGA): 6-4, 6-4
Patricija Paukstyte/Bella Payne (UGA) def. #62 Katie Spencer/Conley Raidt (NEB): 6-1, 6-2
#60 Bianca Molnar/Gabriella Rawles (NDU) def. Ranah Stoiber/Anastasiia Gureva (UGA): 7-5, 6-2
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will continue in singles qualifying Wednesday, with action beginning at 9 a.m. Payne, Paukstyte, Lagaev and Bajraliu will each compete in the next round of the qualifying draw. Payne and Paukstyte will also continue in doubles qualifying at 4 p.m. The remaining Bulldogs will compete in doubles consolation.
ITA All-Americans
Date: Sept. 19-27
Location: Cary, N.C.
Site: Cary Tennis Park
Tournament Central Page: LINK HERE
Live Stream: LINK HERE
Mert Earns First WTA Victory at Ankara Open
Georgia senior Aysegul Mert earned the first WTA victory of her career Tuesday, defeating No. 362-ranked Isabella Shinikova of Bulgaria, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, in the Round of 32 at the WTA 125 Turk Telekom Ankara Open. After dropping the opening set, Mert rallied to win the final two sets and advance to the Round of 16.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on X @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com.
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