University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
South Carolina
Lady Vols Finish Perfect at Home, Defeat South Carolina, 4-1
April 09, 2023 | Women's Tennis
The victory marks the fifth time in program history Tennessee (16-4, 9-2 SEC) finished the regular season undefeated on Rocky Top. It is also the fourth time that the Lady Vols have amassed 11 victories while at home. Both of these milestones have happened twice in the Alison Ojeda era, having last accomplished both marks in 2021.
"It is very important to our student-athletes, our coaching staff and our administration that we make sure to let Vol Nation know exactly what they mean to us, and an undefeated season at home says just that," head coach Alison Ojeda said after the match. "I cannot begin to thank you enough, Rocky Top, for showing up and cheering us on the way that you do."
"For our team," Ojeda continued. "Way to go. I am so proud of the way we competed for every single point out there today."
Prior to the match, Tennessee celebrated its two outstanding seniors, Rebeka Mertena and Daria Kuczer, for all of their hard work and dedication to the program over the years.
"We have had some wonderful senior weekends over the years, but this has got to be one of the best," Ojeda finished by saying. "To beat Florida for only the second time in program history on Friday and these two special individuals were around for both. That's pretty impressive."
South Carolina struck first, taking the doubles point on Courts 1 and 2, but Tennessee answered with speed and fury in singles play.
Once again, it was the quick leads from Esther Adeshina and Lauren Anzalotta that set the tone for Tennessee in singles. Both jumped out to big leads to bookend the courts and get the Lady Vols rolling, but it was the senior Kuczer who capitalized on the momentum the most. She earned the first singles point of the day, thrashing Gracie Mulville, 6-1, 6-0, on Court 3.
Kuczer now has 12 dual victories in singles and has continued to shine at No. 3 for the Lady Vols. It marks her third-straight year posting double-digit wins in dual action as she is 12-2 thus far this season. Since arriving on Rocky Top in the 2020-21 year, Kuczer has gone 42-13 in dual matches and is 23-7 in SEC play.
Elza Tomase also turned heads with an impressive finish and a milestone victory. The sophomore, playing on Court 1, earned her first career top-10 victory, dropping #8 Ayana Akli in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Tomase picked up the win with a surge of momentum late. With the second set tied at 3 all, the sophomore hunkered down and used her powerful play from the baseline to get a jolt of momentum in the set. Once up 4-3, she never looked back, capturing the next two games handily and securing the point.
Adeshina earned Tennessee's second point, picking up her fifth singles victory in a row by taking down Elise Mills, 6-2, 6-3. Anzalotta delivered the clinch for the Big Orange on Court 6, battling through a late comeback effort from Alice Otis to win the match 6-1, 7-5 and send Lady Vol Nation home happy.
Full results from Sunday's match can be found below.
UP NEXT:Â The Lady Vols hit the road to finish out the regular season. Tennessee travels to the state of Mississippi to take on Mississippi State and Ole Miss next weekend, beginning Friday in Oxford when UT faces the Rebels at 3 p.m. ET.
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#15 Tennessee 4, #27 South Carolina 1
Singles
1. #38 Elza Tomase (TENN) def. #8 Ayana Akli (SC) 6-4, 6-3
2. #24 Rebeka Mertena (TENN) vs. #19 Sarah Hamner (SC) 6-7, 1-3, unfinished
3. #46 Daria Kuczer (TENN) def. Gracie Mulville (SC) 6-1, 6-0
4. Eleonora Molinaro (TENN) vs. Misa Malkin (SC) 7-6, 4-1, unfinished
5. Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Elise Mills (SC) 6-2, 6-3
6. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) def. Alice Otis (SC) 6-1, 7-5
Order of finish: 3,5,1,6
Doubles
1. #48 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) def. #36 Esther Adeshina/Rebeka Mertena (TENN) 6-3
2. Gracie Mulville/Elise Mills (SC) def. Lauren Anzalotta/Catherine Aulia (TENN) 6-3
3. Eleonora Molinaro/Daria Kuczer (TENN) vs. Allie Gretkowski/Ana Cruz (SC) 3-4, unfinished
Order of finish: 1,2
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
3,5,1,6
Players Mentioned
