IRVINE, Calif. – Teammates Tiffany Carrillo and Sophie Rachor are representing the Concordia University Irvine women's tennis team this week at the ITA Cup in Rome, Georgia.

This rare opportunity came about after the pair emerged as the women's doubles champions at the 2023 ITA West Region Tournament hosted by Fresno Pacific this September.

This is the second straight fall that a Concordia pair has won this ITA doubles event.  Mike Jansen and James Caddies combined to win the men's doubles tournament in the fall of 2022.

While the regular season for both men's and women's tennis at the NCAA DII level is during the spring semester, the ITA holds these tournaments to help student-athletes across the country measure up during the fall. It helps tennis teams ramp up and strategize for the upcoming spring.

The duo reflected on their September success that put them in this unique position to keep playing in a high-stakes stage during the fall semester.

"We knew there were a lot of new opponents but we didn't know their level," explained Carrillo. "We knew it would be tough no matter what and we just went for it. We had a lot of trust in each other and fed off the energy."

"We had a lot of fun and the communication was really good," added Rachor. "The energy for the finals was awesome."

"I feel like every match we just got better and better."

In addition to that awesome memory, these two Golden Eagles have had impressive performances consistently throughout their Concordia careers. Rachor emerged as the PacWest Freshman of the Year last spring and made Second Team All-PacWest in singles. Carrillo made Third Team All-PacWest in singles as well.

In doubles play a year ago, Carrillo and Rachor competed with other partners who have since graduated. Rachor and now CUI alum Heather Richards were both Second Team All-PacWest as double partners last season.

"I feel everyday we are getting better and being more focused on our goals to be more successful," said Rachor. "We all saw the level of play at the tournaments and now we want to step up our game (even more). I feel the more we do together the better we will be."

"Sophie is aggressive on the sideline in the back, and I'm usually at the net," explained Carrillo. "Our games compliment each other very well and she sets me up a lot at the net."
 
"We got closer off the court and that transitions on the court," added Rachor. "It's a good energy and we are excited for next season."

Under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Sanchez, both the CUI women's AND men's tennis teams have qualified for the NCAA DII West Regional tournaments in two of their last three regular seasons (in the spring).
 
Beginning on Thursday, Carrillo and Rachor were back in action out in Georgia against a duo from Oklahoma Christian to kick off their stay in the southeastern part of the country.
 
To follow along in their journey in the NCAA DII brackets: CLICK HERE