University of Tennessee Athletics
Three Lady Vols Selected for ITA All-American Championships
September 29, 2021 | Women's Tennis
After being postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 global health crisis, the ITA All-American Championship is scheduled for next week. Three Lady Vol tennis players were selected and will travel to the tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, with action beginning Wednesday, Oct. 6.
"One thing that makes All-Americans such a special event is the small number of players who qualify," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Because of this, every player in the draw is very good."
Ranked No. 55 in the preseason rankings for singles, Rebeka Mertena is the lone Lady Vol slated to compete as an individual.
"Rebeka is playing some of the best tennis I've ever seen her play," Ojeda continued. "She is very eager to compete for a chance to be named an All-American, as well."
In doubles, fifth-ranked Esther Adeshina and Daria Kuczer are primed for a strong weekend in the Palmetto state.
"Daria and Esther had a fantastic spring," Ojeda finished. "They have earned the opportunity to compete for a championship next week and I look forward to their fight to go get it."
The Lady Vols are looking to make a splash in the event just as they did at its last playing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Tenika McGiffin and Kaitlin Staines went to the championship. The pair fell in heartbreaking fashion to Yale's Jessie Gong and Samantha Martinelli, 6-2, 3-6, 0-1, dropping the tiebreaking set, 10-8.
Tennessee has won a pair of ITA All-American doubles championships, with the first coming in 2007 (Natalie Pluskota and Caitlin Whoriskey), then again in 2009 (Whoriskey and Zsofia Zubor).
"One thing that makes All-Americans such a special event is the small number of players who qualify," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Because of this, every player in the draw is very good."
Ranked No. 55 in the preseason rankings for singles, Rebeka Mertena is the lone Lady Vol slated to compete as an individual.
"Rebeka is playing some of the best tennis I've ever seen her play," Ojeda continued. "She is very eager to compete for a chance to be named an All-American, as well."
In doubles, fifth-ranked Esther Adeshina and Daria Kuczer are primed for a strong weekend in the Palmetto state.
"Daria and Esther had a fantastic spring," Ojeda finished. "They have earned the opportunity to compete for a championship next week and I look forward to their fight to go get it."
The Lady Vols are looking to make a splash in the event just as they did at its last playing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Tenika McGiffin and Kaitlin Staines went to the championship. The pair fell in heartbreaking fashion to Yale's Jessie Gong and Samantha Martinelli, 6-2, 3-6, 0-1, dropping the tiebreaking set, 10-8.
Tennessee has won a pair of ITA All-American doubles championships, with the first coming in 2007 (Natalie Pluskota and Caitlin Whoriskey), then again in 2009 (Whoriskey and Zsofia Zubor).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 20
Saturday, May 18
Wednesday, May 15
