University of Tennessee Athletics
Monday, October 21
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
University of Tennessee
at
ITA Ohio Valley Regionals
Photo by: Amanda Pruitt/Tennessee Athletics
Kaitlin Staines Wins ITA Ohio Valley Regional
October 21, 2019 | Women's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Junior Kaitlin Staines finished first and sophomore Rebeka Mertena took second in the singles main draw at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional on Monday.
"Our vision for our tennis program is very clear," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "We want to win an SEC title. Our Lady Vols' performance this last weekend really shows that we are on the right track. We had three singles players in the quarterfinals and two who competed against each other in the finals."
Staines defeated Mertena in two sets (6-1, 6-1) to win the five-day event.
"Overall, the tournament was a fun weekend," Staines said. "It was great having the whole team together again supporting each other. It always makes the wins a little more special. I am extremely happy to get the win. I was match points down in two different matches before the finals, so to continue to fight and overcome the tough situations to give myself a chance to play in the final I was super happy with."
This is just the second time in program history that two Lady Vols have appeared in singles final of the ITA Ohio Valley Regional. The first was in the fall of 2012 when Kata Szekely defeated teammate Brynn Boren in straight sets.
Staines closes out the ITA Ohio Valley Regional with a perfect 6-0 record, extending her winning streak to a season-long eight matches. Mertena ends the event with a 5-1 record, with all of her wins coming in two sets.
"Staines and Mertena both earned the right to compete at nationals in Newport Beach in a couple of weeks, which is an exciting opportunity for our program," Ojeda said.
Both Staines and Mertena advance to the ITA National Invite in Newport Beach, Calif. starting on Nov. 8. Staines, along with her doubles partner Tenika McGiffin, will compete in the doubles draw.
Up next, the Lady Vols send split squads to Austin, Texas to compete in the Texas Invite and Nashville, Tenn. to compete in the Vanderbilt Invite beginning on Nov. 1.
Monday's Results
Main Draw
Kaitlin Staines def. Rebeka Mertena, 6-1, 6-1
"Our vision for our tennis program is very clear," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "We want to win an SEC title. Our Lady Vols' performance this last weekend really shows that we are on the right track. We had three singles players in the quarterfinals and two who competed against each other in the finals."
Staines defeated Mertena in two sets (6-1, 6-1) to win the five-day event.
"Overall, the tournament was a fun weekend," Staines said. "It was great having the whole team together again supporting each other. It always makes the wins a little more special. I am extremely happy to get the win. I was match points down in two different matches before the finals, so to continue to fight and overcome the tough situations to give myself a chance to play in the final I was super happy with."
This is just the second time in program history that two Lady Vols have appeared in singles final of the ITA Ohio Valley Regional. The first was in the fall of 2012 when Kata Szekely defeated teammate Brynn Boren in straight sets.
Staines closes out the ITA Ohio Valley Regional with a perfect 6-0 record, extending her winning streak to a season-long eight matches. Mertena ends the event with a 5-1 record, with all of her wins coming in two sets.
"Staines and Mertena both earned the right to compete at nationals in Newport Beach in a couple of weeks, which is an exciting opportunity for our program," Ojeda said.
Both Staines and Mertena advance to the ITA National Invite in Newport Beach, Calif. starting on Nov. 8. Staines, along with her doubles partner Tenika McGiffin, will compete in the doubles draw.
Up next, the Lady Vols send split squads to Austin, Texas to compete in the Texas Invite and Nashville, Tenn. to compete in the Vanderbilt Invite beginning on Nov. 1.
Monday's Results
Main Draw
Kaitlin Staines def. Rebeka Mertena, 6-1, 6-1
Players Mentioned
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