OVERLAND PARK, Kan.- The Ave Maria University women's team earned an invitational to the 2024 ITA NAIA National Women's Team Indoor Championship, an honor given to some of the nation's top teams. The Gyrenes competed this past week in Overland Park, Kansas, facing off with three nationally-ranked foes. Despite going 0-3 in Kansas, several Gyrenes posted standout performances against some of the top teams and players in the nation.

The Gyrenes opened the tournament against No.4 Tennessee Wesleyan, falling 4-1. AMU earned one victory in doubles action, courtesy of a 6-1 victory at the first flight from Vitoria Barandas and Clara Penido. Penido was also victorious in singles action, earning AMU's lone point of the day with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Laia Berne. Two other AMU players - Barandas and Danna Nunez - pushed their matches to a third set, but both matches went unfinished when Tennessee Wesleyan clinched the match. 

In the second match of the weekend, the Gyrenes dropped a 4-1 decision to the host school, No. 22 William Woods. This match followed the same script as the match against TWU, with Penido getting both AMU victories. She and Barandas were 6-2 winners in doubles play, and the newcomer defeated the eleventh-ranked player in the central region, Marta Larraz, 6-3, 6-0. Lauren Berns was also in a position to win, leading 7-5, 2-6, 3-1 when her match was abandoned.

William Carey University, ranked 13th in the nation, was Ave Maria's opponent in the final match of the weekend, played on Sunday. Carey won the match by a 4-0 score, but the top AMU doubles team continued to impress. Penido and Barandas again rolled, winning 6-1 over the top team for the Crusaders. Penido nearly finished off a 6-0 week, as she was in the third set when her match was abandoned. Also playing well in singles play against WCU was Regina Ruiz, who was one point away from a win, 6-4, 5-4, at completion.

AMU will continue the women's tennis season with two consecutive dual meets against NCAA Division II competition. The first of those teams on the schedule will be the Fighting Knights of Lynn University. The Gyrenes will head to Boca Raton on Friday, February 16. The home opener is scheduled for the following Tuesday, when Ave Maria plays host to the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic University.