University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Texas A&M
#14 Lady Vols’ Rally Falls Short at #2 Texas A&M in NCAA Super Regionals
May 12, 2023 | Women's Tennis
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The 14th-ranked Tennessee women's tennis team battled hard, but its late comeback fell just short as it dropped the match to No. 2 Texas A&M, 4-1, Friday afternoon at Mitchell Tennis Center.
After trailing 3-0, the Lady Vols never gave in, battling back from first set deficits on Courts 2, 3 and 6 to even up the individual matches and force third sets, but the Aggies closed out the clinch with a winner on Court 5, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
"When you put everything you have into something meaningful, it really hurts when you lose," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "That is where we are at right now. This is tough. We gave ourselves opportunities to beat the No. 2 team in the country and advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. With that said, we can feel really good when we put our head on the pillow to sleep tonight because we know in our hearts that we gave it everything we had, and that is important."
"Both of these feelings are what will allow us to be proud of the success we've had as a program this season and also be motivated to achieve more in the future," Ojeda continued. "It's not just the wins we are seeking out, we want to perform at a high level when things matter most. We want to put our best against our opponent's best. That is who we are and what we want to strive for."
Lauren Anzalotta was especially impressive. She fell behind early on Court 6, dropping the first set to Jeanette Mireles, 3-6, but the junior hunkered down and took the second frame, 6-4, before blanking the A&M sophomore, 6-0 in the final set.
"Today was obviously a tough day for all of us, but I am so proud of each person on this team for competing until the very end," Anzalotta said. "We had a great season and I can't wait to come back in the fall and do it over again with the girls. Today showed that we are able to compete at a very high level and we will definitely keep that mentality going into next season. We will continue to work hard in the offseason so that we are ready to go once we return to Knoxville."
Part of the rally was fueled by massive comebacks from Rebeka Mertena and Daria Kuczer on Courts 2 and 3. The fifth-year seniors, playing in their final team matches of their collegiate careers, battled from set deficits to take leads in the third set. Neither one could finish though, as the Aggies clinched before they could finish off the victory. Mertena led 5-3 and Kuczer was up 6-5 at the time of the clinch.
"The feeling right now is bittersweet," Kuczer said after the match. "Another chapter in my life came to a close which is my collegiate career with this team, though we have individuals ahead of us. This year was one of the most amazing years I have had and I could not envision a better finish to my career at Tennessee. Collectively, we have done something special for the program, and my hope is that the teams after this will keep breaking records. I could not be more proud of each and every individual on this team and I can never be thankful enough for all the people. I'm not just talking about the team, but the coaches, the staff, the athletic trainers, Izzy Minkin and Yosef Presburger, and our strength and conditioning coach Ryan Metzger. They each gave us something that we could use today and all season."
"Obviously, today was extremely emotional as I played my last team match," Mertena said. "I gave everything I had and I know everyone else did as well. I am so proud of this team and all we accomplished this year. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else by my side. It's been one helluva ride and I can't thank enough the people who have been by me through all of it."
"One last big thank you to all of our support staff for their hard work throughout the season," Ojeda finished saying. "And to our coaching staff, Jarryd Chaplin and Tenika McGiffin, you guys are simply the best. Everyday I come to the courts, I do so knowing how lucky I am to be surrounded by the two of you. Thank you for helping to make our program better.
Full results from Friday's match can be found below.
UP NEXT: Mertena, Kuczer and Elza Tomase head to the NCAA Singles Championship in Orlando, Florida, which will take place from May 22 to May 27.
#2 Texas A&M 4, #14 Tennessee 1
Singles
1. #2 Mary Stoiana (TAM) def. #21 Elza Tomase (TENN) 6-2, 6-1
2. #58 Salma Ewing (TAM) vs. #27 Rebeka Mertena (TENN) 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
3. #68 Mia Kupres (TAM) vs. #48 Daria Kuczer (TENN) 6-3, 2-6, 5-6, unfinished
4. #108 Jayci Goldsmith (TAM) def. Eleonora Molinaro (TENN) 6-3, 6-4
5. Daria Smetannikov (TAM) def. Esther Adeshina (TENN) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
6. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) def. Jeanette Mireles (TAM) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Order of finish: (4,1,6,5)
Doubles
1. #45 Rebeka Mertena/Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. #22 Jayci Goldsmith/Salma Ewing (TAM) 6-4
2. #35 Mia Kupres/Mary Stoiana (TAM) def. Lauren Anzalotta/Catherine Aulia (TENN) 6-4
3. Jeanette Mireles/Gianna Pielet (TAM) def. Eleonora Molinaro/Daria Kuczer (TENN) 7-6 (7-5)
Order of finish: 1,2,3
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,2,3
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
4,1,6,5
Players Mentioned
