University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Complete First Round Matches at Two ITA Events
November 06, 2025 | Women's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee women's tennis team completed the first rounds of matches at the ITA South Sectional and ITA Conference Masters Tournaments Thursday, taking three total wins.
"Today was tough, but also good," head coach Allison Ojeda said of the first day at the south sectional. "We learned a lot in every single match we played."
Leyla Britez Risso logged the first victory of the day for the Lady Vols, defeating Miami's Aely Arai in the South Sectional round of 32. The ITA Regional semifinalist took the win via a hard-fought 63-, 7-6 [4] score.
"Leyla played a tough opponent who made her work hard to earn her victory," Ojeda noted of the senior's matchup.
Saray Yli-Piipari earned a first round singles win at the South Sectional, taking down LSU's Kenna Erickson, 6-3, 6-1.
"Saray is continuing to learn how to be a great competitor, every single point," Ojeda remarked following the match. "Everyone is improving, and I'm excited for more tennis tomorrow."
At the ITA Conference Masters event, Francesca Mattioli and Maeve Thornton combined for a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win in the first round of doubles competition. The pair sailed to their near-perfect score over North Carolina Central's Barbaric/San Miguel Soria tandem.
"Maeve and Fran came out sharp today and set the tone early," Associate Head Coach Robin Goodman said of the Lady Vol duo. "They were disciplined, aggressive and connected – exactly how we want to start a big week.
"It's a great opening to the tournament, and they'll be ready to build on it tomorrow."
Both tournaments continue tomorrow, with Britez Risso and Yli-Piipari competing in the South Sectional round of 16 singles matches and Mattioli/Thornton competing in a Conference Masters round of 16 doubles match.
Streaming and Live Stats
Fans can watch the ITA Sectionals action live HERE. Fans can track the updated ITA Sectionals tournament bracket as results are finalized HERE.
The ITA Conference Masters can be streamed HERE. The Conference Masters will have live stats, found HERE. Fans can track the update Conference Masters tournament bracket as results are finalized HERE.
ITA South Sectional Results – Lady Vols Entries
No. 34 Leyla Britez Risso (UT) def. Aely Arai (Miami) – 6-3, 7-6 [4]
Saray Yli-Piipari (UT) def. Kenna Erickson (LSU) – 6-3, 6-1
Ava Esposito (Auburn) def. No. 17 Catherine Aulia (UT) – 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Xinyi Nong (UF) def. No. 121 Vanesa Suarez (UT) – 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
No. 67 Emily Welker (Ole Miss) def. Elim Yan (UT) – 6-2, 6-1
Kempenaers-Pocz/Oboniye (Miss. St.) def. No. 17 Aulia/Britez Risso (UT) – 6-4, 6-4
Bennett/Esposito (Auburn) def. Suarez/Yli-Piipari (UT) – 6-4, 6-2
ITA Conference Masters Results – Lady Vols Entries
Mattioli/Thornton (UT) def. Barbaric/San Miguel Soria (N.C. Central) – 6-0, 6-1
Upcoming Schedule – Friday, Nov. 7
Leyla Britez Risso (UT) vs. Alice Battesti (Auburn) – ITA South Sectional singles round of 16, 11:00 a.m.
Saray Yli-Piipari (UT) vs. Lucie Pawlak (UF) – ITA South Sectional singles round of 16, 11 a.m.
Mattioli/Thornton (UT) vs. Cave/Mamontova (SFA) – ITA Conference Masters doubles round of 16, 12:30 p.m.
"Today was tough, but also good," head coach Allison Ojeda said of the first day at the south sectional. "We learned a lot in every single match we played."
Leyla Britez Risso logged the first victory of the day for the Lady Vols, defeating Miami's Aely Arai in the South Sectional round of 32. The ITA Regional semifinalist took the win via a hard-fought 63-, 7-6 [4] score.
"Leyla played a tough opponent who made her work hard to earn her victory," Ojeda noted of the senior's matchup.
Saray Yli-Piipari earned a first round singles win at the South Sectional, taking down LSU's Kenna Erickson, 6-3, 6-1.
"Saray is continuing to learn how to be a great competitor, every single point," Ojeda remarked following the match. "Everyone is improving, and I'm excited for more tennis tomorrow."
At the ITA Conference Masters event, Francesca Mattioli and Maeve Thornton combined for a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win in the first round of doubles competition. The pair sailed to their near-perfect score over North Carolina Central's Barbaric/San Miguel Soria tandem.
"Maeve and Fran came out sharp today and set the tone early," Associate Head Coach Robin Goodman said of the Lady Vol duo. "They were disciplined, aggressive and connected – exactly how we want to start a big week.
"It's a great opening to the tournament, and they'll be ready to build on it tomorrow."
Both tournaments continue tomorrow, with Britez Risso and Yli-Piipari competing in the South Sectional round of 16 singles matches and Mattioli/Thornton competing in a Conference Masters round of 16 doubles match.
Streaming and Live Stats
Fans can watch the ITA Sectionals action live HERE. Fans can track the updated ITA Sectionals tournament bracket as results are finalized HERE.
The ITA Conference Masters can be streamed HERE. The Conference Masters will have live stats, found HERE. Fans can track the update Conference Masters tournament bracket as results are finalized HERE.
ITA South Sectional Results – Lady Vols Entries
No. 34 Leyla Britez Risso (UT) def. Aely Arai (Miami) – 6-3, 7-6 [4]
Saray Yli-Piipari (UT) def. Kenna Erickson (LSU) – 6-3, 6-1
Ava Esposito (Auburn) def. No. 17 Catherine Aulia (UT) – 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Xinyi Nong (UF) def. No. 121 Vanesa Suarez (UT) – 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
No. 67 Emily Welker (Ole Miss) def. Elim Yan (UT) – 6-2, 6-1
Kempenaers-Pocz/Oboniye (Miss. St.) def. No. 17 Aulia/Britez Risso (UT) – 6-4, 6-4
Bennett/Esposito (Auburn) def. Suarez/Yli-Piipari (UT) – 6-4, 6-2
ITA Conference Masters Results – Lady Vols Entries
Mattioli/Thornton (UT) def. Barbaric/San Miguel Soria (N.C. Central) – 6-0, 6-1
Upcoming Schedule – Friday, Nov. 7
Leyla Britez Risso (UT) vs. Alice Battesti (Auburn) – ITA South Sectional singles round of 16, 11:00 a.m.
Saray Yli-Piipari (UT) vs. Lucie Pawlak (UF) – ITA South Sectional singles round of 16, 11 a.m.
Mattioli/Thornton (UT) vs. Cave/Mamontova (SFA) – ITA Conference Masters doubles round of 16, 12:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Tennis
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