Dominant Singles Play Pushes UT Past Arkansas, 4-1

Friday, April 2

Knoxville, Tenn.

1 p.m. ET

University of Tennessee

Arkansas

April 02, 2021 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Ricky Martinez

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A commanding showing in singles play propelled the Tennessee women's tennis team to a 4-1 victory over Arkansas on Friday afternoon at Barksdale Stadium.

The Lady Vols (11-5, 5-5 SEC) won four straight-set singles matches over the Razorbacks (10-6, 5-6 SEC) to improve their perfect home record to 8-0 in the 2021 dual-match season.

The tandem of sophomore Carly Briggs and freshman Esther Adeshina collected the first doubles victory of the dual with a 6-1 triumph over Jackie Carr and Kelly Keller on court three. The Razorbacks took courts two then one to claim the doubles point and enter singles play with a 1-0 advantage.

Junior Daria Kuczer opened singles scoring with a authoritative 6-0, 6-1 victory over Keller on court four to tie the match at 1-1 and win her seventh-straight match, tying her season-long winning streak. The Szczecin, Poland native holds an impressive 14-1 record in dual-match play and is 7-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Kuczer is also undefeated on Rocky Top with an 8-0 record in her debut season in Orange and White.

No. 45-ranked Briggs gave UT a 2-1 advantage with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Tatum Rice on court three. The sophomore moves to 14-12 on the season.

Senior Tenika McGiffin quickly followed Briggs with a 6-0, 6-3 triumph on court five to give the Vols a 3-1 lead in the match. The Brisbane, Australia native moves to 10-4 in dual match play and collected her fifth SEC win of the season. She is also undefeated at home in 2021 with an 8-0 record on Rocky Top.

Senior Johanna Silva clinched the match at 4-1 with a 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory over Carr on court six. The Hamburg, Germany native tabbed her 83rd career victory, sitting just three wins outside the top-15 all-time in program wins. The win moves her to 5-4 in dual-match play this season and 5-1 in SEC play.

Up next, the Lady Vols take on Missouri on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET at Barksdale Stadium.

All home matches played inside the Goodfriend Tennis Center will be conducted without fans per SEC COVID-19 protocols. Spectators at Barksdale Stadium will be limited to family and friends of the Tennessee women's tennis and visiting program, general admission is not permitted. Should the match be moved indoors the day of the match, those on the pass list will be permitted.

#22 University of Tennessee 4, #24 Arkansas 1
Singles competition
1. #96 Rebeka Mertena (UT) vs. #33 Indianna Spink (AR) 3-6, 6-3, 3-2, unfinished
2. #68 Eleonora Molinaro (UT) vs. Kelly Keller (AR) 4-6, 6-4, 2-1, unfinished
3. #45 Carly Briggs (UT) def. Tatum Rice (AR) 6-1, 6-3
4. Daria Kuczer (UT) def. Morgan Cross (AR) 6-0, 6-1
5. Tenika McGiffin (UT) def. Laura Rjikers (AR) 6-0, 6-3
6. Johanna Silva (UT) def. Jackie Carr (AR) 6-1, 7-6 (6-1)

Doubles competition
1. Morgan Cross/Tatum Rice (AR) def. Tenika McGiffin/Eleonora Molinaro (UT) 6-4
2. Lauren Alter/Indianna Spink (AR) def. Rebeka Mertena/Daria Kuczer (UT) 6-4
3. Carly Briggs/Esther Adeshina (UT) def. Jackie Carr/Kelly Keller (AR) 6-1

Match Notes:
Arkansas 10-6, 5-6 SEC; National ranking #24
University of Tennessee 11-5, 5-5 SEC; National ranking #22
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,3,5,6)

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