KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – On Sunday afternoon at Barksdale Stadium, the 16th-seeded Tennessee women’s tennis team defeated No. 21 Duke in a 4-0 rout in the Second Round of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Team Championship. With this victory, the Lady Volunteers advanced to the round of 16 for the eleventh time in the program’s existence, including the second year in a row.
“I couldn’t be happier for our team. Head coach Alison Ojeda remarked, “The girls have worked so hard.” The objective has been to return to the Sweet 16 this entire year. Duke is an incredibly talented team. They are extremely gifted, and even though they have had some injuries this year, they are now healthier, so we knew they would deliver.
us a very difficult battle. It was really important for us to win the doubles point and to continue winning in singles on every court. I’m thrilled and incredibly proud of the girls.”
Play began with Tennessee (20-7, 9-4 SEC) defeating Duke (16-10) in a grueling doubles point match. Against Iulliia Brygalova and Brianna Shvets, Lauren Anzalotta and Catherine Aulia prevailed 6-3. The decisive set came in a 6-3 victory for Alana Wolfberg and Esther Adeshina over Karolina Berankova and Emma Jackson.
Play was stopped with Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase, ranked No. 11, leading Katie Codd and Shavit Kimchi 5-3.
“We’ve come a long way from the start of the season and have a lot of confidence in ourselves right now,” Adeshina stated. “We are ready to keep going throughout this tournament.”
The Lady Vols faced three ranked singles opponents after taking an early 1-0 lead, but they didn’t let it stop them from playing. Karolina Berankova was defeated by Adeshina in a 6-2, 6-1 score. Wolfberg won 6-1, 6-4, battling off Iuiia Bryzgalova. Anzalotta defeated Brianna Shvets in a 6-1, 6-4 decision to end the match.
stated. Because each person is unique and comes from a different background, they can all provide something new to the team. We all have the same ultimate objective, and I believe that’s why our team is so enjoyable to be around. I work so hard for my team when I wake up, and I do it because I love them.”
At the Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Tennessee will take on Oklahoma State, the top-seeded team. The match’s timing and date must be publicized.
Notables from the Match:
The Tennessee women’s tennis team won for the 785th time with this victory.
Over her career, head coach Alison Ojeda has amassed 141 victories.
With the victory on Sunday, the program has now defeated Duke four times in its existence, having previously won in Knoxville and under Ojeda.
For the twenty-third time this season, the team won the doubles advantage.
In consecutive seasons, the Big Orange advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since the Ojeda period.
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