WTEN CENTRAL: Georgia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 23/18 Tennessee women's tennis team opens SEC play on Saturday against No. 9/7 Georgia in Athens.

The Lady Vols (9-1) begin a two-week road trip with the Bulldogs (5-2) at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex at noon ET.

"Tennessee tennis fans ... it's SEC time, and the Lady Vols are ready," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Every student-athlete who has had the privilege of competing in Orange and White understands the importance of conference competition. The motto of the SEC is, 'It Just Means More.' As we head to Georgia this weekend, the women of the Lady Vol tennis team feel this sentiment in our bones. It's SEC time. It just means more. And we are ready."

The Lady Vols head to the peach state riding a six-match winning streak.

Coverage: Fans can follow @Vol_WTennis on Twitter for live updates. A complete recap of the match will be posted to UTSports.com following the competition.

Last Time Out: UT swept their final doubleheader of non-conference play on Friday, Feb. 21. The Lady Vols defeated Cincinnati 5-0 and UT Chattanooga 4-1.

Ranked Lady Vols: The Lady Vols landed four individuals and one doubles pair on the most recent ITA rankings.

The doubles pair of Kaitlin Staines and Tenika McGiffin are ranked eighth in the country. The duo hold a 4-1 record in dual matches this season.

No. 40-ranked sophomore Rebeka Mertena is a perfect 6-0 in singles this dual-match season. Most recently, she defeated UTC's Jessie Young in straight sets 6-0, 6-3.

Senior Johanna Silva holds a career-high ranking of 55. She owns an 8-1 record in dual-match play in 2020 and is 15-3 overall in her senior season.

No. 73 Staines defeated a pair of opponents in straight sets in last week's doubleheader. The Wagga Wagga, Australia product holds a 15-12 mark as a junior.

Freshman Carly Briggs made her debut in the latest ITA rankings, checking in as the 100th-ranked player in the country. The freshman holds a perfect 10-0 record in dual matches and is 12-1 overall since arriving on Rocky Top in January.

In the Rankings
Singles
27 – Katarina Jokic (UGA)
34 – Lea Ma (UGA)
40 – Rebeka Mertena
52 – Meg Kowalski (UGA)
55 – Johanna Silva
73 – Kaitlin Staines
86 – Marta Gonzalez (UGA)
100 – Carly Briggs
104 – Morgan Coppoc (UGA)

Doubles
8 – Kaitlin Staines/Tenika McGiffin
31 – Katarina Jokic/Anna Hertel (UGA)
52 – Morgan Coppoc/Meg Kowalski (UGA)

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Players Mentioned

Carly Briggs

Tenika McGiffin

Rebeka Mertena

Johanna Silva

Kaitlin Staines

University of Tennessee Athletics