Rockhurst women's tennis player Ella Coleman advanced to the Round of 16 at the inaugural ITA Division II Singles & Doubles Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, highlighted by an opening-round upset over the No. 5-ranked singles player in the nation.

Coleman opened the national tournament Wednesday (Nov. 4) with a three-set victory over Elena Ondobo of Flagler College. After dropping the opening set 6-1, Coleman rallied to take the second set 6-4 before securing the upset with a 10-6 victory in the deciding match tiebreaker.

In the Round of 16, Coleman faced Emilia Gyorgy of Midwestern State University. Gyorgy ended Coleman's tournament run with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Coleman entered the national championships with an impressive collegiate résumé, having earned GLVC Women's Player of the Year honors in each of her first three seasons at Rockhurst. She was named the ITA Division II Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and earned ITA All-American honors in 2024-25.

Coleman looks to continue her senior season next semester in the spring.