KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – The No. 18 Tennessee women’s tennis (2-0) opened up the 2024 slate by picking up two victories against Furman and Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon at Goodfriend Tennis Center. The Lady Volunteers cruised to 7-0 wins over both the Paladins and the Mocs.
“Our entire team is excited about this season,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “We have got a very mature and experienced group of young women who are prepared to compete for a championship.”
Tennessee 7, Furman 0
Tennessee was quick to clinch the doubles point against Furman with two commanding decisions. Graduate student Alana Wolfberg and senior Esther Adeshina tallied a 6-1 win over Maeve Thornton and Jess Dawson, followed by senior Sofia Cabezas and junior Elza Tomase clinching the doubles point from a 6-4 win against Grace Thomas and Sara Synder. Sophomore Catherine Aulia and senior Lauren Anzalotta stopped at the 5-5 mark due to the Volunteers clinching.
In singles, No. 92 Cabezas was the first Lady Vol to claim a victory, winning, 6-1, 6-1, over Sara Synder. Adeshina added a 6-0, 7-5 win against Macy Hitchcock, while No. 100 Eleonora Molinaro was not far behind by notching a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Grace Thomas to clinch the match.
Anzalotta blazed past Jess Dawson in a 6-4, 6-4 result. Meanwhile, No. 91 Wolfberg’s match was nothing short of a thriller. The Orlando, Fla., native shut out Maeve Thorton, 6-0, in the first set. In the second set, Wolfberg logged a 7-6 victory, taking a 7-5 tiebreaker for a 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) final score. Catherine Aulia rounded out singles with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Ellie Shulson.
Tennessee 7, Chattanooga 0
Tennessee then turned its attention to the Mocs and quickly claimed the doubles point. Molinaro and Leyla Britez Risso recorded a dominant victory against Maragret Manolache and Emma Pedretti, 6-2. Cabezas and Tomase clinched a 6-4 win over Caroline Gibbens and Emma Peeler. Adeshina and Aulia were stopped at 5-4 against Alice Hall and Dohnalova when Tennessee clinched the point.
Singles play was highlighted by Adeshina, as she recorded two unblemished sets to put Margaret Manolache away, 6-0, 6-0. Cabezas followed by putting up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Rozalie Dohnalova while Britez Risso racked up a 6-3, 6-1 score against Emma Pedretti.
Molinaro took a 6-2, 6-1 triumph against Alice Hall, while Tomase added a 7-5, 6-1 win over Emma Peeler. Play was concluded by Aulia’s…
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