Kuckelman Twins Reach Dick Vitale Doubles Final

Lakewood Ranch, Flor., --Chloe and Ellie Kuckelman have clinched a spot in the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic women's doubles championship match. After earning three wins in two days, the Kuckelman's are set to face the duo of Marlee Zein and Tsveta Dimitrova from the University of Florida in Sunday afternoons final.

On Friday's opening round of doubles competition, the twins from Overland Park, Kan., defeated the No. 4 seed of the tournament, Hammond/Cracium of Michigan, 8-6. In 2019, Cracium went 8-1 in Big Ten doubles play for the Wolverines. Later in the day, Chloe and Ellie rolled to an 8-3 quarterfinal victory over Appalachian State.

In Saturday's semifinal match, the Kuckelman's defeated the No. 1 seed of the tournament from Oklahoma State, Alana Wolfberg and Catherine Guilihur 8-5. 

Chloe and Ellie also competed in singles at the Clay Court Classic. Chloe won her first-round match over Gulihur of Oklahoma State in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. In the round of 16, she fell to Cassie McLay of Appalachian State in a third-set tiebreaker.

Ellie fell in the opening round of singles to Maria Ross of Boston College, 7-6(3), 6-1. In the consolation bracket, she dropped her match to Michigan freshman Nicole Hammond in three sets, 6-1, 3-6, 1-0(5). 

Results

Singles

 R1 

Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Catherine Gulihur (OKST) 6-2, 6-2

Maria Ross (BC) def. Ellie Kuckelman (NEB) 7-6(3), 6-1

R2

Cassie McLay (APP ST) def. Chloe Kuckelman 1-6, 7-6(4), 1-0(8)

Consolation

Nicole Hammond (MICH) def. Ellie Kuckelman 6-1, 3-6, 1-0(5)

Doubles

R16

Chloe Kuckelman/Ellie Kuckelman (NEB) def. Nicole Hammond/Anca Cracium (MICH) 8-6

QF

Chloe Kuckelman/Ellie Kuckelman (NEB) def. Cassie McLay/Maria Zacaries (APP ST) 8-3

SF

Chloe Kuckelman/Ellie Kuckelman (NEB) def. Alana Wolfberg/Catherine Gulihur (OKST) 8-5