It was a back-and-forth battle from the jump as Kuczer claimed the first set, 6-4, thanks largely in part to a seven-point run starting at deuce on 40-all. She then closed the first set out and raced out of the jump in the second stanza, securing a 10-point run and taking an early 2-0 lead.
Tomase battled back and kept her composure, chipping away and staying in the match until she eventually got to 5-all. The powerful sophomore rattled off the next two games to even the match up and send it to a make-or-break third set.
Tomase continued the momentum in the third set and got out to a 3-0 lead before Kuczer had to retire, giving Tomase her second tournament title and punching her ticket to the ITA National Fall Championships in San Diego, California in early November.
Kuczer was unable to play her doubles match with partner Eleonora Molinaro, giving Kentucky the doubles title. Finishing as runner-up, the pair also earned a qulification to the Fall Championships where they earned a bid.
Up next, the Lady Vols have a two-day layoff before returning to the courts for the Tennessee Fall Invitational. Action begins Thursday at 5 p.m. at Barksdale Stadium, weather permitting.
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