MM 4.20: Maryland tennis sets program record for conference wins
This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.
Maryland tennis had its final two regular-season match days over the weekend, and while it lost to Illinois on Sunday, Friday’s victory over Northwestern was the eighth conference victory for the Terps of the season — setting the record for most in a season by the Terps ever. HISTORY MADE 📚 With today’s win over Northwestern, the Terps have earned the most Big Ten wins in a single season in Maryland Women’s Tennis History! 👏 STILL MORE TO COME🔥 #terptennis #coMpete pic.
twitter. com/s5J5rUzy7c — Maryland Tennis (@TerpTennis) April 17, 2026 It was far from a sure thing Friday — the Terps dropped the doubles point, but Emma Ghirardato, Magdalena Baniak and Tamari Gagoshidze won their singles matches to put the Terps on three points. Maryland and Northwestern were tied, 3-3, with Diya Challa playing in what would become the tiebreaking game.
The junior won the first set, 6-4, before dropping the second, 4-6. With all eyes on her, Challa won the deciding set, 6-4, to clinch the match and the 4-3 team victory. Senior day against Illinois saw Maryland drop the doubles point again.
Baniak won her match, and Ghirardato appeared poised to win hers in a third set, but straight-set losses from Oliwia Orlinska, Lucia Donnelly and Gagoshidze were enough to give the Illini the 4-1 team victory. Now, the Terps are the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which will kick off Thursday at Ohio State.