KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee women’s tennis team featured a strong showing during the opening day of the UT Home Invitational at Barksdale Stadium. The Lady Vols tallied a total of seven wins including five in singles and two in doubles to round out the day.
“Today gives me excitement on the overall improvement since we got here in August,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “I can see that the whole team is on the same page in terms of what we are trying to do. We just have a long way to go in terms of executing.”
In singles, Tennessee collected five wins over opponents from Nebraska, Arizona State and Ohio State. No. 61 Elza Tomase, Leyla Britez Risso, Vanesa Suarez, Conley Raidt and Maeve Thornton each notched a straight-set victory. Elim Yan and Saray Yli-Piipari were the lone Lady Vols to drop their matches.
“I felt like it was a really good solid match,” Britez said. “I didn’t feel like it was my best tennis, but at the same time, I felt really solid.
The Lady Vols continued their momentum into doubles, claiming two wins. The pairs of Yan/Thornton and Britez Risso/Raidt each recorded a victory over Ohio State opponents. Yan and Thornton topped Nao Nishino and Dani Scheonly, 6-2, while Britez Risso and Raidt defeated Shelly Bereznyak and Megan Basil in a 6-2 victory.
“Doubles today was so exciting,” Britez added. “It was my first time playing with Conley (Raidt) and I loved it. It was good energy and good commitment. I really liked it and it was a great match.
Tomase and Suarez dropped a 2-6 result to Ohio State’s Luciana Perry and Audrey Spencer.
The Big Orange is back at it tomorrow morning and will square off against new singles opponents at 10 a.m., followed by doubles action at 12:30 p.m.
Draws and times will be finalized by the end of the day on Thursday and can be found here. Live stats and a live stream will be available for viewers not in attendance.
Results:
Singles
#61 Elza Tomase def. Zamburek (Nebraksa), 6-4, 6-1
Leyla Britez Risso def.Taranova (Nebraska), 6-2, 6-1
Vanesa Suarez def. Spaka (Arizona State) 6-4, 6-2
Conley Raidt def. Aiya Nupbay (Arizona State) 6-3, 6-3
Maeve Thornton def. Dani Schoenly (Ohio State) 6-3, 7-5
Emma Rizzetto (Nebraska) def. Saray Yli-Piipari 6-4, 6-4
Karsyn Evans (Arizona State) def. Elim Yan 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
Doubles
Britez Risso/Raidt def. Bereznyak/Basil (Ohio State) 6-2
Perry/Spencer (Ohio State def. Tomase/Suarez 6-2
Yan/Thorton def. Nishino/Schoenly (Ohio…
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