“What a day it was for our team,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Rebeka and Daria battled really hard out there, and I am incredibly proud of both of them, iron sharpens iron so that match was really positive in how we move forward from this event. Elza competed with a fire and intensity, and I look forward to seeing that singles match tomorrow.”
In a battle between teammates, it was all you could ask for as Daria Kuczer and Rebeka Mertena went point-for-point, pushing and pulling momentum and grinding for every point until the very end. Mertena claimed the first set, 6-3, but Kuczer came back with the next two, 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the singles finals of the regional for the first time in her career.
On the next court over, Elza Tomase fought through a three-set battle to make the finals and defend her tournament title. The sophomore used a big serve and powerful play from the backline to defeat fifth-seeded Anessa Lee from Vanderbilt, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Though Lee attacked with a strong second set, the Latvia-native came with intensity in the third, capping off the victory with a break on match-point.
“In doubles, it was great to see Daria and Eleonora play so strong together,” Ojeda continued. “In doubles it’s all about the energy and intensity we bring, so we are hoping the community can come on out and support us on your lunch breaks as we look to bring home the hardware.”
As the format of matches shifted to two-set play from the pro-style the previous rounds featured, Kuczer and partner Eleonora Molinaro adjusted with grace and dominated in the semifinals, defeating Marcella Cruz and Sonya Macavei of Vanderbilt, 6-2, 6-1. The partnership fed off eachother with solid play from the baseline and crisp volleys at the net. The victory came in the Lady Vols’ ability to put Vandy on the defensive, forcing lobs from deep that were cashed in, in the form of strong winners off the volley.
Action begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. where Kuczer and Tomase face off in the regional singles finale. That match will be followed by the doubles championship between Kuczer/Molinaro and Carlota Molina and Elizabeth Stevens of Kentucky, tentatively scheduled for 12:30 p.m. all at Barksdale Stadium.
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