University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Elon
#10 Lady Vols Shut Out Elon, 4-0, Advance to NCAA Championship Second Round
May 02, 2025 | Women's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 10th-seeded Tennessee women's tennis team snapped Elon's eight-match winning streak with a 4-0 sweep in the First Round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Team Championship on Friday evening at Goodfriend Tennis Center. The victory marked the 24th occurrence in program history that the Lady Vols have swept an opponent in the NCAA Tournament, the fifth in the Alison Ojeda era.
"I love the way Elon competed tonight," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "They competed hard and they for sure helped us get ready for tomorrow. We have a Pepperdine team who can't wait to play us and we'll meet that same energy. We are excited."
The Lady Vols (18-7) made their presence known early, grabbing the 1-0 advantage against Elon (19-6). The 30th-ranked duo of Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso kicked things off, routing Simone Bergeron and Mariana Reding in 6-1 fashion on court one. Elza Tomase and Saray Yli-Piipari followed to clinch the doubles point with a 6-2 victory over the Phoenix's Helen Sarikulaya and Lisa Kranec on court two. Maeve Thornton and Vanesa Suarez were up 4-3 on court three before going unfinished.
In singles play, UT dominated to take all six of its first sets. No. 41 Aulia wasted no time at the No. 2 spot and logged a double bagel (6-0, 6-0) over Mariana Reding, while Yli-Piipari cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Madison Cordisco on court five. No. 66 Britez Risso clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Helen Sarikulaya at the No. 3 spot.
Tennessee will face No. 26 Pepperdine at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Barksdale Stadium in the Second Round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Championship. Tickets are on sale HERE.
Match Notables:
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The win marked the 806th victory for the Tennessee women's tennis program.
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Head coach Alison Ojeda now owns 161 victories during her tenure and is the third-winningest coach in program history.
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Tennessee collected its first-ever win against Elon, improving its all-time record to 1-0.
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The win marked the 24th time in program history that the Big Orange fended off its first-round foe, the seventh in the Ojeda era.
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It also marked the sixth consecutive year that Tennessee has surpassed its first-round opponent.
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The Lady Vols earned the doubles point for the 17th time this season.
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Catherine Aulia earned her 60th career doubles win.
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Leyla Britez Risso earned her 30th career doubles win.
Results:
Singles
1. #7 Elza Tomase (TENN) vs. Simone Bergeron (ELON) 7-6(6), 3-0, unfinished
2. #41 Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Mariana Reding (ELON) 6-0, 6-0
3. #66 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Helen Sarikulaya (ELON) 6-1, 6-4
4. Vanesa Suarez (TENN) vs. Heidi Bulger (ELON) 6-3, 4-2, unfinished
5. Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) def. Madison Cordisco (ELON) 6-0, 6-1
6. Maeve Thornton (TENN) vs. Lisa Kranec (ELON) 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
Order of Finish: 2,5,3
Doubles
1. #30 Catherine Aulia/Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Simone Bergeron/Mariana Reding (ELON) 6-1
2. #74 Elza Tomase/Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) def. Helen Sarikulaya/Lisa Kranec (ELON) 6-2
3. Maeve Thornton/Vanesa Suarez (TENN) vs. Heidi Bulger/Madison Cordisco (ELON) 4-3, 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:
2,5,3
Players Mentioned
