Elizabeth Ionescu Named SEC Freshman of the Week After Perfect Weekend for Texas Women’s Tennis
In just her second weekend of collegiate tennis, Texas freshman Elizabeth Ionescu made a statement - and the SEC took notice. The conference named Ionescu its Women’s Tennis Freshman of the Week, marking both her first career SEC honor and the first weekly award of the season for the Longhorns.
And it’s hard to argue with the resume she built over the past weekend. Ionescu went a perfect 4-0 across singles and doubles, playing a key role in Texas’ road wins over Iowa (6-1) and Wisconsin (5-2). For a player who had logged just one singles and one doubles match prior to this road trip, her performance showed poise well beyond her experience level.
Her first collegiate singles win came in decisive fashion. Playing at the No. 4 spot against Iowa, Ionescu defeated Pia Kranholdt 6-3, 6-1 - a win that not only added to her personal milestone but also clinched the overall match for Texas. Earlier in doubles, she and partner Carmen Herea took care of business at No. 2, beating Kranholdt and Emma Tothová 6-3 to help secure the doubles point.
The freshman duo carried that momentum into the next match against Wisconsin. This time, Ionescu and Herea moved down to the No. 3 doubles line and delivered again, topping Tianna Rangan and Kaede Usui 6-2 to clinch the doubles point for the Longhorns. Ionescu wasn’t done yet - she later returned to singles play and notched a straight-sets win over Usui (6-2, 7-5) at No. 6, giving Texas a 3-1 lead and putting them in control of the match.
What stands out isn’t just the wins, but the way Ionescu delivered them - confidently, efficiently, and in high-leverage moments. Whether it was closing out a match or setting the tone in doubles, she looked like a player who belonged on the big stage.
Ionescu joined the team in January, making her debut just weeks ago. But if this weekend is any indication, she’s already finding her rhythm - and fast.
The Longhorns now turn their attention to a major test: a showdown with No. 6 Oklahoma at the ITA National Indoor Championships in Champaign, Illinois. That tournament runs from Feb. 6-9, and with Ionescu heating up, Texas has another weapon in its arsenal heading into one of the toughest events of the season.