MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Four Tennessee women’s tennis team members wrapped up action on Sunday at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic. Junior Vanesa Suarez headlined the competition by securing the 48th annual singles championship.
Maeve Thornton, Elim Yan and Saray Yli-Piipari also took part in the tournament. Over the course of the weekend Tennessee combined for 15 victories, 13 in singles and two in doubles.
Suarez led the pack, going undefeated with five singles wins and two doubles triumphs. The junior was stellar in singles, advancing to the title match, in which she faced Juana Larranage from Purdue. Suarez gained a three-game lead and never looked back, registering a 6-2, 6-1 win to claim the championship.
The pair of Thornton and Suarez reached the doubles championship, but fell short to Oklahoma’s Salakthip Ounmang and Roisin Gilheany in a 3-6 decision. After falling behind, 1-5, the Lady Vol duo made a comeback, narrowing the gap to 3-5, but couldn’t clinch the victory in the end.
All four players made their Tennessee debuts, with freshmen Elim Yan and Saray Yli-Piipari participating in their first collegiate matches. The underclassmen had a strong showing, combining for five victories throughout their inaugural weekend.
Results:
Friday – 9/27
Vanesa Suarez def. Fatima Gutierrez (Purdue) 6-4, 6-0
Vanesa Suarez def. Roisin Gilheany (Oklahoma) 6-0, 6-1
Maeve Thornton def. Gabrielle Guenther (Cinncianti) 6-3, 6-0
Maeve Thornton def. Valeriia Krokhotina (Houston) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
Ece Gencer (Purdue) def. Elim Yan 7-6 (0), 6-3
Salakthip Ounmang def. Elim Yan 7-5, 4-6, 1-0
Juanna Larranga (Purdue) def. Saray Yli-Piipari 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
Saray Yli-Piipari def. Sophie Schouten (Houston) 6-3, 2-6, 1-0
Gutierrez/Clement (Purdue) def. Yan/Yli-Piipari 6-4
Saturday – 9/28
Vanesa Suarez def. Ece Gencer (Purdue) 6-4, 6-3
Vanesa Suarez def. Eva Sande Alvarez (Washington State) 6-2, 6-0
Juana Larranaga (Purdue) def. Maeve Thornton 7-6(3), 6-3
Maeve Thornton def. Gloriana Nahum (Oklahoma) 7-5, 6-4
Elim Yan def. Emma Kette (Oklahoma) 3-6, 7-6, 1-0
Elim Yan def. Andie Weise (Marquette) 6-1 (Retired)
Saray Yli-Piipari def. Maxine Murphy (Washington State) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (9)
Saray Yli-Piipari def. Emma David (Marquette) 6-2, 7-6(0)
Thornton/Suarez def. Nahum/Ghirardato (Oklahoma) 6-4
Thornton/Suarez def. Larranaga/Gencer (Purdue) 7-6 (1)
Sunday – 9/29
Vanesa Suarez def. Juana Larranage (Purdue) 6-2, 6-1
Gilheany/Ounmang…
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