The deciding point came on the front end of the match as Tennessee (17-4, 10-2 SEC) picked up the critical doubles point in grind-it-out fashion, clinching the point in a tiebreaker on Court 3. Singles would eventually split, 3-3, so the point win from Daria Kuczer and Eleonora Molinaro was paramount. The two would face off with Ludmila Kareisova and Emma Kette, battling for every single point on the court. It was their grit, determination and effort that eventually culminated in a 8-6 tiebreaker win to secure the match.
Their victory came after yet another victory on Court 1 from No. 40 Esther Adeshina/Rebeka Mertena who breezed past Lillian Gabrielsen and Kelsey Mize, 6-2.
“I’m really proud of our team for digging deep to win the doubles point,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. ” It obviously helped us with the overall win, and just as importantly it helps us as we prepare for another SEC road match on Sunday.”
The victory cemented conference No. 10 for the Lady Vols. That number ties the program record for single-season conference wins and is just the second time in program history the team has amassed double-digit victories in SEC play. The last team to win 10 conference matches was the 2001 squad which finished the season ranked No. 6 nationally.
In singles, Tennessee was propelled by strong victories from Kuczer and Mertena. On Courts 2 and 3, the respective Lady Vols powered past their opponents, each taking 12-of-15 games played. Mertena picked up the Big Orange’s first singles point, 6-2, 6-1, while Kuczer dropped Anaelle Leclercq, 6-1, 6-2.
“I was very impressed with the performance out of our two seniors today,” Ojeda also added.
The clinch came from Adeshina who continued to grow with every point, frustrating Rachel Krzyzak and taking the match, 6-4, 6-1, to secure a victory for the Lady Volunteers.
Full results from Friday’s match can be found below.
I’M COMING, COACH: With the win, Rebeka Mertena earned her 102nd career singles victory. That puts her in a tie for eighth on the all-time career singles wins list with her head coach, Alison Ojeda.
UP NEXT: Tennessee rounds out the regular season in Starkville, Mississippi, as UT faces off with Mississippi State at 2 p.m. ET at A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
#14 Tennessee 4, Ole…
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