Lady Vols cap the first day of the UT Home Invitational

KNOXVILLE, Tenn – The Tennessee women’s tennis team had a strong performance on opening day of the UT Home Invitational at Barksdale Stadium. The Lady Vols rounded out the day with seven total wins, including five in singles and two in doubles.

“Today I am pleased with the overall improvement since our arrival in August,” said head coach Alison Ojeda said. “I can see that the whole team is on the same page about what we are trying to do. We just have a long way to go in terms of implementation.”

In singles, Tennessee picked up five wins against opponents from Nebraska, Arizona State and Ohio State. No. 61 Elza Tomase, Leyla Britez Risso, Vanesa Suarez, Conley Raidt And Maeve Thornton Each achieved a win in straight sets. Elim Yan And Saray Yli-Piipari were the only Lady Vols to drop their matches.

“I felt like it was a really good, solid game,” Britez said. “I didn’t feel like it was my best tennis, but at the same time I felt really solid.”

The Lady Vols continued their momentum in doubles, picking up two wins. The pairs of Yan/Thornton and Britez Risso/Raidt each recorded a win over their opponents from Ohio State. Yan and Thornton defeated Nao Nishino and Dani Scheonly 6-2, while Britez Risso and Raidt defeated Shelly Bereznyak and Megan Basil 6-2.

“The doubles was so exciting today,” Britez added. “It was my first time playing with Conley (Raidt) and I really enjoyed it. There was good energy and great commitment. I really enjoyed it and it was a great game.”

Tomase and Suarez lost 6-2 to Luciana Perry and Audrey Spencer of Ohio State.

The Big Orange is back at it again tomorrow morning, taking on new singles opponents at 10 a.m., followed by doubles matches at 12:30 p.m

The draws and times will be determined at the end of the day on Thursday and can be found here. Live statistics and a live stream are available for viewers who are not present.

Results:

Singles

#61 Elza Tomase def. Zamburek (Nebraksa), 6-4, 6-1

Leyla Britez Risso defeated Taranova (Nebraska), 6-2, 6-1

Vanesa Suarez def. Spaka (Arizona State) 6-4, 6-2

Conley Raidt def. Aiya Nupbay (Arizona State) 6-3, 6-3

Maeve Thornton def. Dani Schoenly (Ohio State) 6-3, 7-5

Emma Rizzetto (Nebraska) defeated. Saray Yli-Piipari 6-4, 6-4

Karsyn Evans (Arizona State) defeated. Elim Yan 6-3, 1-6, 7-5

Double

Britez Risso/Raidt def. Bereznyak/Basil (Ohio State) 6-2

Perry/Spencer (Ohio State defeated Tomase/Suarez 6-2

Yan/Thorton def. Nishino/Schoenly (Ohio State) 6-2