FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 20 Tennessee Women’s tennis team notched its first conference victory, 6-1, against No. 43 Arkansas on Friday evening at Billingsley Tennis Center. The Lady Vols captured their ninth doubles point of the season, before snagging six singles wins to lock down the match.
“Going into the match, we knew Arkansas was going to swing freely against us, no question about that,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “They did, we went out in doubles and won the point which I liked I thought we did a good job and so did Arkansas. What I love about what Esther (Adeshina) did was she got on and off the court quickly. It’s her fifth year in the SEC and she understands how important it is. The leadership that she provided and continues to provide is critical.”
Tennessee (9-2) showed no sign of rust after a week of rest, as the squad clinched the doubles point against Arkansas (7-4). Lauren Anzalotta and Catherine Aulia were the first pair to record a win against Kelly Keller and Carolina Comez, 6-1. Esther Adeshina and Alana Wolfberg beat Lenka Stara and Grace O’Donnell in a 6-4 affair. The No. 40-ranked duo of Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase were the only Tennessee pair to drop a match in doubles. They fell in a 1-6 contest against Morgan Cross and Anet Koskel. The Lady Vols took a 1-0 advantage in doubles for the ninth time this season.
“Yeah, it was a great match today,” Adeshina said. “It was a great match today and we all fought hard. Going into singles we had a lot of energy. I felt like I just did my job and got off the court as quick as I could to get off the courts. I am so proud of the team and thought everyone did a great job.”
After acquiring the doubles point, the Big Orange posted three singles to claim the SEC opener. Adeshina led the trio with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Kacie Harvey. No. 94 Aulia added to the mix by posting a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Morgan Cross. Anzalotta clinched the match from a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Anet Koskel. Wolfberg kept the wins coming with a three-set triumph against Lenka Stara, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Tomase filed the final win against Kelly Keller in a 5-7, 7-6 (5), 10-4.
No. 23 Cabezas was the only Lady Vol to come up short in singles, falling to No. 88 Carolina Gomes in a 1-6, 3-6 defeat
NEXT UP:
The Lady Vols will travel to face SEC foe Missouri at Mizzou Tennis Complex, with first serve scheduled for 10 a.m. ET.
Match Notables:
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The win marked the 774th…
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