Ojeda Named SEC Co-Coach of the Year, Three Earn All-SEC First Team Honors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda was named SEC Co-Head Coach of the Year while Daria Kuczer, Rebeka Mertena and Elza Tomase were named First Team All-SEC in the end-of-season awards, the conference office announced Thursday morning.

An alumnae of the program, Ojeda led the Lady Volunteers to heights never seen before in 2023. Tennessee finished 11-2 in Southeastern Conference play, the highest SEC win total in program history, and tallied double-digit conference victories for just the second time ever. The Lady Vols went unbeaten at home, turning in an 11-0 record on Rocky Top. That milestone marks just the fifth time in program history Tennessee has finished the regular season undefeated at home, with two of those coming in the Alison Ojeda Era.

“I know I speak for our entire department when I emphasize how thrilled we are to see Alison earn this recognition,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor Danny White said. “Alison’s love for the University of Tennessee is undeniable. She’s done a tremendous job leading her program and building a culture of excellence. This year’s team has displayed an impressive level of grit and togetherness. The entire lineup—top to bottom, singles and doubles—comes into each match focused, well prepared and expecting to win.”

Ojeda becomes the third SEC Coach of the Year in program history, following in the footsteps of her head coaches, Mike Patrick and Sonia Hahn-Patrick, who garnered the honors in 2001 and 2009.

The Lady Vols also made history in the All-SEC teams as the First Team honors for Kuczer, Mertena and Tomase mark the first time in program history Tennessee has had three individuals garner first-team acclaim.

“For us to have three players make First Team All-SEC shows just how much respect each girl has earned from their peers,” Ojeda said on the awards. “They are among some great competitors and fierce tennis players, which is right where they belong.”

Mertena has been a staple on the All-SEC teams, making it on the charts in each of the last three seasons. She becomes the ninth player in program history to be recognized three times on the All-SEC Teams, having earned second team honors in 2021 and first team acclaim in 2022. Currently, she ranks tied for seventh in program history for career singles victories with 103. In her final season on Rocky Top, the fifth-year senior went 13-4 during dual competition while boasting a perfect 5-0 SEC record at No. 2. She has…