KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 18 Tennessee Lady Vols women’s tennis team delivered a nail-biting 4-3 victory over No. 15 Ohio State during the second round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Goodfriend Tennis Center on Saturday. The triumph punches their ticket to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, set to be hosted by Illinois and Northwestern from February 7-11.
This achievement marks the Lady Vols’ first return to the National Indoors since 2012, joining the elite ranks of the 2012, 2011, and 2010 squads. Assistant coach Elizabeth Scotty praised the team’s grit and determination: “That’s the essence of college tennis. Both teams gave it their all, and we rallied together to claw our way back. It was incredible.â€
The Lady Vols struck first, claiming the doubles point with two decisive wins. The duo of Elza Tomase and Elim Yan defeated Dani Schoenly and Sydni Ratliff, 6-3, while Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso secured the opening point with another 6-3 victory against Teah Chavez and Luciana Perry.
In singles, Ohio State briefly seized momentum, earning back-to-back wins. No. 19 Aulia fell 2-6, 2-6 to Chavez, and No. 54 Vanesa Suarez suffered a 1-6, 3-6 loss to Nao Nishino. However, the Lady Vols roared back, starting with No. 10 Tomase’s impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over No. 8 Perry, leveling the match at 2-2.
Ohio State regained the lead as Maeve Thornton fell 2-6, 3-6 to Shelly Bereznyak. But No. 106 Britez Risso delivered a stunning 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 84 Ratliff to tie the match again.
The decisive moment came down to Conley Raidt. In her first home match as a Lady Vol, Raidt outlasted No. 46 Audrey Spencer in a thrilling 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5) victory, clinching the match for Tennessee. Reflecting on the moment, Raidt said, “Playing at home on Rocky Top with such incredible support was unmatched. I play for the fans, my teammates, and everyone here—it’s an honor.â€
What’s Next:
The Lady Vols advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, taking place February 7-11 in Illinois and Northwestern.
Match Highlights:
• Tennessee’s 4-3 win marks the 791st victory in program history.
• Head coach Alison Ojeda now holds 147 career wins, making her the third-winningest coach in Lady Vol history.
• This is Tennessee’s fourth appearance in the ITA National Indoors, with the last being in 2012.
• The Lady Vols improved their record against Ohio State to 17-6, claiming their first victory over the Buckeyes since 2013.
• Tennessee has now won the doubles point in three matches this season.
Results:
Singles:
1. #10 Elza Tomase (TENN) def. #8 Luciana Perry (OSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Teah Chavez (OSU) def. #19 Catherine Aulia (TENN) 6-2, 6-2
3. Shelly Bereznyak (OSU) def. Maeve Thornton (TENN) 6-2, 6-3
4. #106 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. #84 Sydni Ratliff (OSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. Nao Nishino (OSU) def. #54 Vanesa Suarez (TENN) 6-1, 6-3
6. Conley Raidt (TENN) def. #46 Audrey Spencer (OSU) 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5)
Doubles:
1. Tomase/Yan (TENN) def. Schoenly/Ratliff (OSU) 6-2
2. Aulia/Britez Risso (TENN) def. Chavez/Perry (OSU) 6-3
3. Thornton/Suarez (TENN) vs. Nishino/Spencer (OSU) 5-3, unfinished
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2); Singles (2, 5, 3, 1, 4, 6)
