University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
NCAA Singles Championships
Lady Vol Trio Ready for NCAA Singles Championship
May 21, 2023 | Women's Tennis
LAKE NONA, Fla. – In the final event of the 2022-23 season, three members of the Tennessee women's tennis team will compete in the NCAA Singles Championships which begin Monday at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida.
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Representing Tennessee in the 64-person field is Rebeka Mertena, Elza Tomase and Daria Kuczer. All three rank inside the top 50 nationally with Tomase leading the charge at No. 21, followed by Mertena at 27 and Kuczer at 48.
"The NCAA does a great job of hosting first-class event at the final site of competition," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "So, it's a fun feeling for three of our girls to walk around the USTA National Campus the last few days, knowing that they have performed well enough to earn them a spot amongst the best in college tennis."
"I look forward to getting out in the heat tomorrow and coaching the girls as they compete against some tough opponents," Ojeda finished saying.
Tomase begins her tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET against Abbey Forbes of the national championship-winning North Carolina squad. Also playing in the 12:30 time slot is Mertena, as she takes on Maddy Sieg from Southern Cal. An hour later, Kuczer faces Natasha Subhash from Virginia at 1:30 p.m.
Mertena is playing in her second NCAA Singles Championship after qualifying for the 2022 tournament a season ago. She dropped a heartbreaking three-setter in the first round to the seventh-seeded Eryn Cayetano. For both Tomase and Kuczer, this year's tournament marks their first appearance in the event. Kuczer, along with Mertena, will round out their illustrious Tennessee careers at Lake Nona, while Tomase looks to cap a strong sophomore campaign and propel herself forward as she becomes one of the leaders on the squad in the coming years.
FIRST-ROUND SCHEDULE
Monday, May 22 – Singles Round of 64
12:30 p.m. ET – Elza Tomase vs. Abbey Forbes, North Carolina
12:30 p.m. ET – Rebeka Mertena vs. Maddy Sieg, Southern Cal
1:30 p.m. ET – Daria Kuczer vs. Natasha Subhash, Virginia
