University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Face Another Fall Test at College Ranked Spotlight +1
September 23, 2021 | Women's Tennis
CARY, N.C. – Reaching the halfway point in the fall slate, the Tennessee women's tennis squad heads to the Tar Heel State for the College Ranked Spotlight +1, hosted by NC State. Play will take place at the Cary Tennis Park with the first Lady Vols doubles pairings scheduled to begin at 4:30 Thursday afternoon.
"This is a great opportunity for the girls," associate head coach Jarryd Chaplin said. "To play quality opponents in back-to-back weekends really helps us get better."
This weekend's field is just as loaded as last with 12 of the 13 teams ranked in the top 30. North Carolina (2), NC State (5), Duke (8), Virginia (9), UCF (11), Ohio State (12), Michigan (16), Tennessee (18), Miami (20), Oklahoma (24), South Carolina (26), USC (27) all will be there with Princeton rounding out the field.
"I want to see us focus on playing complete matches," Chaplin continued. "I want to see us ready from the start and not wavering as the match progresses."
The fall has emphasized as a time of development for a young Tennessee squad. This weekend, Rebeka Mertena, Tenika McGiffin, Eleonora Molinaro and Elza Tomase will take the court in the 53-person singles draw. The projected doubles pairings will be Rebeka Mertena/Elza Tomase and Tenika McGiffin/Eleonora Molinaro.
"Between the four girls, they will get plenty of matches over the weekend," Chaplin finished. "Our desired outcomes are consistent performance from each player."
The Lady Vols have put together some solid play this fall, earning four wins over ranked opponents in the first two weekends. They will continue to be tested this weekend and the challenge is one the team looks forward to.
A schedule for doubles action can be seen below.
Day One Schedule
Doubles
Eleonora Molinaro/Tenika McGiffin(UT) vs. Daevenia Achong/Eden Richardson(Miami) – 4:30 p.m.
Rebeka Mertena/Elza Tomase(UT) vs. Andrea Cerdan/Nicole Hammond(Mich.) – 4:30 p.m.
"This is a great opportunity for the girls," associate head coach Jarryd Chaplin said. "To play quality opponents in back-to-back weekends really helps us get better."
This weekend's field is just as loaded as last with 12 of the 13 teams ranked in the top 30. North Carolina (2), NC State (5), Duke (8), Virginia (9), UCF (11), Ohio State (12), Michigan (16), Tennessee (18), Miami (20), Oklahoma (24), South Carolina (26), USC (27) all will be there with Princeton rounding out the field.
"I want to see us focus on playing complete matches," Chaplin continued. "I want to see us ready from the start and not wavering as the match progresses."
The fall has emphasized as a time of development for a young Tennessee squad. This weekend, Rebeka Mertena, Tenika McGiffin, Eleonora Molinaro and Elza Tomase will take the court in the 53-person singles draw. The projected doubles pairings will be Rebeka Mertena/Elza Tomase and Tenika McGiffin/Eleonora Molinaro.
"Between the four girls, they will get plenty of matches over the weekend," Chaplin finished. "Our desired outcomes are consistent performance from each player."
The Lady Vols have put together some solid play this fall, earning four wins over ranked opponents in the first two weekends. They will continue to be tested this weekend and the challenge is one the team looks forward to.
A schedule for doubles action can be seen below.
Day One Schedule
Doubles
Eleonora Molinaro/Tenika McGiffin(UT) vs. Daevenia Achong/Eden Richardson(Miami) – 4:30 p.m.
Rebeka Mertena/Elza Tomase(UT) vs. Andrea Cerdan/Nicole Hammond(Mich.) – 4:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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