University of Tennessee Athletics

Lady Vols Selected to NCAA Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
April 29, 2019 | Women's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the 28th time in program history, the Tennessee women's tennis team has been selected to compete in the NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament, as the Lady Vols are set to compete in the Raleigh regional.
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The Lady Vols (19-7) start the 64-team tournament on Saturday with a match against the Southern Conference champion Furman Paladins (26-1) at 1 p.m.
On the other side of the Raleigh regional, host school and No. 12 seed NC State (22-6) will face VCU (18-5). The winners of the two matches face off in the Round of 32 on Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner of the four-school region will advance to the Super Regionals.
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"It's exciting, there's no doubt about it," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "The girls are excited, and we're ready to play.
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"We lost in the SEC Tournament a week and a half ago and since then we've just been waiting to get back on the court. We have a tough match with Furman first, and they're used to winning. I'm excited to have some tough competition in the first round and hopefully advance."
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This season's selection marks the third straight season that the Lady Vols have qualified for the NCAA Tournament – all under the direction of Ojeda. Last season, Tennessee fell to Oregon in the first round, 4-2.
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Tennessee enters this season's NCAA Tournament coming off of its best season from a regular season wins standpoint since 2003 (19 wins). During a season that also included four top 25 wins, Tennessee won nine SEC matches, more than the previous three seasons combined.
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The Lady Vols also concluded the regular season with a 14-3 home record, the most home wins for the program since the 1992 season.
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For her efforts during Tennessee's season, Sadie Hammond was named All-SEC Second Team, while Rebeka Mertena was named to the All-Freshman team.
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BY THE NUMBERS
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27 – Total NCAA selections since the championships changed to its present-day team format in 1979.
32 – Wins Tennessee has enjoyed in the NCAA Championships. UT's all-time record is 32-26.
17 – Shutouts by Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, most recently a 4-0 win over VCU in 2013.
11 – Times that Tennessee has reached the round of 16 or better.
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The Lady Vols (19-7) start the 64-team tournament on Saturday with a match against the Southern Conference champion Furman Paladins (26-1) at 1 p.m.
On the other side of the Raleigh regional, host school and No. 12 seed NC State (22-6) will face VCU (18-5). The winners of the two matches face off in the Round of 32 on Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner of the four-school region will advance to the Super Regionals.
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"It's exciting, there's no doubt about it," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "The girls are excited, and we're ready to play.
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"We lost in the SEC Tournament a week and a half ago and since then we've just been waiting to get back on the court. We have a tough match with Furman first, and they're used to winning. I'm excited to have some tough competition in the first round and hopefully advance."
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This season's selection marks the third straight season that the Lady Vols have qualified for the NCAA Tournament – all under the direction of Ojeda. Last season, Tennessee fell to Oregon in the first round, 4-2.
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Tennessee enters this season's NCAA Tournament coming off of its best season from a regular season wins standpoint since 2003 (19 wins). During a season that also included four top 25 wins, Tennessee won nine SEC matches, more than the previous three seasons combined.
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The Lady Vols also concluded the regular season with a 14-3 home record, the most home wins for the program since the 1992 season.
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For her efforts during Tennessee's season, Sadie Hammond was named All-SEC Second Team, while Rebeka Mertena was named to the All-Freshman team.
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BY THE NUMBERS
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27 – Total NCAA selections since the championships changed to its present-day team format in 1979.
32 – Wins Tennessee has enjoyed in the NCAA Championships. UT's all-time record is 32-26.
17 – Shutouts by Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, most recently a 4-0 win over VCU in 2013.
11 – Times that Tennessee has reached the round of 16 or better.
Players Mentioned
Everything Orange S3 | Leyla Britez Risso (Women's Tennis)
Friday, March 20
Everything Orange S2 I Catherine Aulia (Women's Tennis)
Thursday, March 20
WTN | Alison Ojeda and Sofia Cabezas Postgame vs. UCLA (5.18.24)
Saturday, May 18
WTN | Alison Ojeda and Lauren Anzalotta Media Availability (5.15.24)
Wednesday, May 15











