WHITEWATER, Wis. – Two years after reaching the ITA Midwest Regional singles semifinal round, Irene Agusti '24 took a step up to the championship match stage this weekend.
 
The Grinnell College tennis player placed second in the event, securing a spot in the prestigious ITA Cup in Rome, Ga., next month. Agusti had a first-round bye and then reeled off wins over foes from Macalester College and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
 
Agusti, seeded 10^th, then pulled off a pair of upsets by defeating the fifth seed from College of St. Scholastica and top seed from St. Catherine University. Agusti followed with a three-set marathon victory over the 14^th seed from Concordia University of Wisconsin, sending her to Monday's championship match.
 
There, facing 19^th-seeded Lauryn Douglas, the Bethel University player secured a 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 victory for top honors. Both she and Agusti earned spots in the ITA Cup by making the title match.
 
This year marks the third season in a row a Grinnell player has made the championship round and earned a spot in the ITA Cup. Sabrina Tang accomplished the feat in 2021 and 2022.
 
Also during the regional tourney, semifinalist Ioanna Giannakou '24 notched her 38^th career singles victory, putting her 22^nd all-time at Grinnell. Lily Perrin '25, who played on the doubles consolation championship team, collected her 44^th career doubles victory to move to 24^th all-time.