KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 16th-seeded Tennessee women’s tennis team swept past No. 21 Duke in a 4-0 victory during the Second Round of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Team Championship on Sunday afternoon at Barksdale Stadium. The triumph marked the 11th time in the program’s history the Lady Volunteers have reached the round of 16, including the second consecutive year.
“I am absolutely thrilled for our team. The girls have worked so hard,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “It’s been a goal all year long to get back to the Sweet 16. Duke is a very very good team. They are incredibly talented and they have dealt with some injuries throughout the year and they are healthier now and we knew that they were going to give us a really tough fight. For us to be able to come out win the doubles point, and just stay on it in singles on every single court was huge. I’m really proud of the girls and excited.”
Tennessee (20-7, 9-4 SEC) opened play by captured a gritty doubles point against Duke (16-10). The pair of Lauren Anzalotta and Catherine Aulia produced a 6-3 victory against Iulliia Brygalova and Brianna Shvets. Esther Adeshina and Alana Wolfberg claimed the clinch with a 6-3 triumph against Karolina Berankova and Emma Jackson.
The No. 11-ranked tandem of Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase held a 5-3 lead on Katie Codd and Shavit Kimchi when play halted.
“We’ve come a long way from the start of the season and have a lot of confidence in ourselves right now,” Adeshina said. “We are ready to keep going throughout this tournament.”
After grabbing a 1-0 lead, the Lady Vols had their hands full against three ranked singles opponents but, did not let it phase their play. Adeshina retired her opponent, Karolina Berankova, in 6-2, 6-1 fashion. Wolfberg fended off Iuiia Bryzgalova in a 6-1, 6-4 victory. Anzalotta capped off the match with a 6-1, 6-4 decision, defeating Brianna Shvets.
“I think this team is special in so many different ways,” Anzalotta said. “Everyone has different personalities and they come from different places so everyone is able to contribute something different to the team. At the end of the day, we all share the same goal and I think that is why we are such a fun team to be around. When I wake up I’m so excited to come work hard for my team and I do it because I love them.”
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Tennessee will face the No. 1 seed Oklahoma State at Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Okla. The date and the time of the match are to be…
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