University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
#15 Ohio State
Raidt Lifts #18 Lady Vols Past #15 Buckeyes, 4-3, to Advance to ITA National Team Indoor Championship
January 25, 2025 | Women's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 18 Tennessee women's tennis team nabbed a 4-3 victory against No. 15 Ohio State during the second round of ITA Kickoff Weekend at Goodfriend Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Vols will advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship hosted by Illinois and Northwestern from Feb. 7-11. Saturday's victory marks the first time since 2012 the Big Orange have reached the feat, joining the 2012, 2011, and 2010 teams.
"That's what college tennis is all about," assistant coach Elizabeth Scotty said. "You love to see those moments when both teams put it all out on the line. Ohio State came out massive after that doubles point. For the team, for Tennessee, we just rallied behind one another and slowly inched our way back into it. It was incredible."
The Lady Vols swiftly claimed the doubles point, notching a 1-0 lead against Ohio State. The pair of Elza Tomase and Elim Yan posted a 6-3 victory against Dani Schoenly and Sydni Ratliff. Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso sealed the opening point with a convincing 6-3 triumph versus Teah Chavez and Luciana Perry.
In singles, Ohio State posted back-to-back victories to drop the Big Orange behind by one point. No. 19 Aulia dropped her match to Teah Chavez, 2-6, 2-6,and No. 54 Vanesa Suarez fell in a 1-6, 3-6 defeat against Nao Nishino.
No. 10 Tomase knocked off No. 8 Luciana Perry in a 6-3, 6-4 top-10 affair to tie the match at two apiece before the Buckeyes tacked on another point. Maeve Thornton came up short versus Shelly Bereznyak, 2-6, 3-6. No. 106 Leyla Britez Risso leveled the score at three with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 decision against No. 84 Sydni Ratliff.
Conley Raidt, in her first home match as a Lady Vol, registered the decisive win over No. 46 Audrey Spencer, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5). Raidt has now clinched two matches thus far into the season, with the other against ECU.
"This being my first college match at home, playing on Rocky Top, the fans, my teammates, the people in the stands, it was unmatched," Raidt exclaimed. "I am lucky to get the opportunity to play in front of all these banners and all these people. I do it for them, not just for myself."
Up Next: The Lady Vols will advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships hosted at Illinois and Northwestern from Feb. 7-11.
Match Notables:
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The win marked the 791st victory for the Tennessee women's tennis program.
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Head coach Alison Ojeda now owns 147 victories during her tenure, the third-winningest coach in program history.
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Friday's win marked the fourth time the Lady Vols have advanced to the ITA National Indoor Championship, joining the 2012, 2011, and 2010 teams.
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Tennessee last accomplished the feat on Feb. 5, 2012, when the Big Orange knocked off Michigan, 5-2, in Knoxville.
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Tennessee improved to 17-6 against Ohio State, tallying its first win since 2013.
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The Lady Vols collected the doubles point for the third time this season.
Results:
Singles
1. #10 Elza Tomase (TENN) def. #8 Luciana Perry (OSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Teah Chavez (OSU) def. #19 Catherine Aulia (TENN) 6-2, 6-2
3. Shelly Bereznyak (OSU) def. Maeve Thornton (TENN) 6-2, 6-3
4. #106 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. #84 Sydni Ratliff (OSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. Nao Nishino (OSU) def. #54 Vanesa Suarez (TENN) 6-1, 6-3
6. Conley Raidt (TENN) def. #46 Audrey Spencer (OSU) 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5)
Doubles
1. Elza Tomase/Elim Yan (TENN) def. Dani Schoenly/Sydni Ratliff (OSU) 6-2
2. Catherine Aulia/Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Teah Chavez/Luciana Perry (OSU) 6-3
3. Maeve Thornton/Vanesa Suarez (TENN) vs. Nao Nishino/Audrey Spencer (OSU) 5-3, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,5,3,1,4,6)
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:
2,5,3,1,4,6
Players Mentioned
