MURFREESBORO, TENN. – Tennessee women’s tennis standouts Catherine Aulia and Elza Tomase nabbed the doubles crown at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships on Tuesday afternoon at the MTSU Tennis Complex.
The No. 23-ranked duo posted a 6-4, 6-0 victory against Xavier’s Clara Owen and Abby Nugent. After taking a back-and-forth opening set, the Tennessee tandem notched a clean second set to close the match.
The Lady Vol pair recorded a perfect doubles sweep throughout the course of the tournament, collecting six straight victories. Aulia and Tomase played a combined 60 games, winning 44 and dropping just 16.
By claiming the doubles championship, the pair earns an automatic bid to the doubles draw of the NCAA Individual Championships, set for Waco, Texas, from Nov. 19-23.
“Qualifying for the individual portion of the NCAA tournament is different this year in our sport,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Instead of having an entire season of results to get yourself into the tournament, athletes get four chances. Winning this tourney is a big deal. I’m very happy for Catherine and Elza.”
Aulia also made an impressive run in singles, placing third in the draw. The junior tallied a 6-1, 6-2 result against ETSU’s Daniela Rivera. The Rosebury, Australia, native etched five total victories.
“Big shout out to our trainer Yosef Presburger,” Ojeda added. “He keeps finding ways for our players to train at a high level every day so that they can perform well on days like today!”
Results:
Singles
#81 Catherine Aulia def. Daniela Rivera 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
#23 Aulia/Tomase def. Owen/Nugent 6-4, 6-0
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