Hammond, Mertena Earn All-SEC Honors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two Tennessee women's tennis players were selected to All-SEC teams, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Senior team captain Sadie Hammond was named Second Team All-SEC while freshman Rebeka Mertena was included on the eight-member All-Freshman team.

Hammond's Second Team selection is the second of her career along with her 2016 selection. Mertena is Tennessee's fifth all-time All-Freshman team honoree and first since Hammond was selected in 2016.

During her final season on Rocky Top, Hammond has put together impressive performances in singles and doubles competition.

The Belgrade, Maine native compiled an 18-3 dual match doubles record at the No. 1 spot in the lineup, including 8-3 during SEC play. Her doubles resumé, which featured six ranked wins, helped her and partner Kaitlin Staines ascend as high as No. 6 in the ITA doubles rankings, finishing the regular season at No. 9.

In singles, Hammond improved her dual match win total by five wins from the 2018 season while competing exclusively at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. She also defeated four ranked opponents over the course of the season.

"I'm proud of Sadie for making All-SEC Second Team," Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Sadie has been a major contributor to our team's success this season and I couldn't be happier for her.

"She's in a group of elite tennis players and she's worked hard to be there."

As a true freshman, Mertena led the Lady Vols in dual match singles wins with 18 after arriving at UT just before the start of the season in January.

The Liepaja, Latvia, native also sported a 9-1 SEC record in singles, primarily competing at the No. 4 spot in the lineup. At the No. 3 doubles spot, Mertena turned in a 16-5 (9-3 SEC) dual match doubles record.

Mertena won 14 of her final 15 completed singles matches of the season, dating back to February non-conference play.

"Rebeka continues to improve every day," Ojeda said. "When I think about Tennessee tennis and our future, it's bright because of players like her.

"What's amazing is not only is she a fantastic player on court, she takes care of the little details that will help her achieve long-term success."

Fresh off of an impressive regular season, the Tennessee women's tennis team is currently awaiting its placement in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Selection Show is set to air Monday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. The first round of the NCAA Tournament is scheduled to start the weekend of May 3.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Sadie Hammond

Rebeka Mertena

Kaitlin Staines

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