University of Tennessee Athletics
Mertena's Victory Highlights Day One of ITA National Fall Championship
November 04, 2021 | Women's Tennis
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Rebeka Mertena took her first match of the tournament to cap the first day of play for the Tennessee women's tennis team at the ITA National Fall Championship in San Diego.
Mertena, ranked No. 55 in the ITA preseason singles charts, squared off against No. 38 Thasaporn Naklo from Iowa State and the ranked duel was everything it shaped up to be - a back-and-forth three-set battle that Mertena and Naklo fought for momentum. Mertena's success came from securing the break when she needed it most. This was highlighted in the third set as she trailed, 6-5, and had dropped the previous two games. She kept her cool and took over the rest of the way, holding onto the momentum for a compelling, 7-2, tiebreaker win. The final tally of the match was 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2).
Elza Tomase played her first-ever match in California. She faced another freshman in Sarah Hamner from South Carolina, the top-ranked newcomer in the ITA in the preseason poll. Hamner was also winner of the ITA All-American Championship played earlier this fall. Tomase had a tall task and faced it well, but was not able to capture the match, falling 1-6, 6-4, 2-6.
Both Lady Vols will be back in action tomorrow with Mertena matched up with the second-seed in the tournament, Daria Frayman from Princeton. The match is slated for 12 p.m. ET. Tomase will face No. 67 Kylie Collins from Texas, that bout will take place at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Day One Results
Singles
Main Draw
#55 Rebeka Mertena(UT) def. #38 Thasaporn Naklo(ISU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2)
Sarah Hamner(SC) def. Elza Tomase(UT) 1-6, 6-4, 2-6
Mertena, ranked No. 55 in the ITA preseason singles charts, squared off against No. 38 Thasaporn Naklo from Iowa State and the ranked duel was everything it shaped up to be - a back-and-forth three-set battle that Mertena and Naklo fought for momentum. Mertena's success came from securing the break when she needed it most. This was highlighted in the third set as she trailed, 6-5, and had dropped the previous two games. She kept her cool and took over the rest of the way, holding onto the momentum for a compelling, 7-2, tiebreaker win. The final tally of the match was 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2).
Elza Tomase played her first-ever match in California. She faced another freshman in Sarah Hamner from South Carolina, the top-ranked newcomer in the ITA in the preseason poll. Hamner was also winner of the ITA All-American Championship played earlier this fall. Tomase had a tall task and faced it well, but was not able to capture the match, falling 1-6, 6-4, 2-6.
Both Lady Vols will be back in action tomorrow with Mertena matched up with the second-seed in the tournament, Daria Frayman from Princeton. The match is slated for 12 p.m. ET. Tomase will face No. 67 Kylie Collins from Texas, that bout will take place at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Day One Results
Singles
Main Draw
#55 Rebeka Mertena(UT) def. #38 Thasaporn Naklo(ISU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2)
Sarah Hamner(SC) def. Elza Tomase(UT) 1-6, 6-4, 2-6
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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