University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Notre Dame
Tennis Falls to No. 17 Notre Dame, 5-2
March 19, 2011 | Women's Tennis
March 19, 2011
By Donnie Conley, Media Relations Student Assistant
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 18-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team dropped a tough, 5-2, decision to No. 17 Notre Dame at the USF Varsity Courts on Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee co-head coach Mike Patrick wasn't thrilled with his team's performance against the Fighting Irish.
"We had chances today, we just didn't play tough enough," Patrick said. "They gave us opportunities but they were able to tough it out. It's unfortunate. I thought we would have come out more prepared to fight harder and I'm disappointed."
UT (10-4, 3-0) fell behind early, dropping the doubles point for only the third time this season. Tennessee had a 4-1 lead at No. 1 doubles, but the No. 33-rated Irish duo of Kristy Frilling and Shannon Matthews battled back to take the match, 8-5. Senior Jennifer Meredith and Kata Szekely continued to roll at No. 3 doubles, winning their 12th straight match, 9-7.
The battle for the doubles point came down to No. 2 doubles, where Notre Dame was able best the Lady Vols, 8-6.
The Big Orange fell behind, 2-0 thanks to a loss at No. 1 singles. Freshman Millie Nichols got Tennessee on the board with a 7-5, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles. The win gives Nichols five consecutive singles victories.
Notre Dame went ahead 3-1 with a win by No. 38 Matthews over Rosalía Alda at No. 2 singles. UT freshman Brynn Boren battled back from losing the first set to win her match, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, cutting the score to 3-2.
Playing in only her fourth match since missing a month due to illness, Patrick said he was pleased to see that effort from Boren.
"She's a work in progress," Patrick said. "She's competing as hard as she can, but she's still working her way back and doing a good job. She just can't worry about things she can't control. I think between the second and third sets, she finally realized that and was able to win her match."
Notre Dame clinched the victory with a three-set win at No. 5 singles. At No. 4 singles, the match went to a third set match tiebreaker, where defending BIG EAST Player of the Week Jennifer Kellner topped Kata Szekely, 13-11.
Tennessee won't have a ton of time to dwell on this loss. The Lady Vols host Ohio State on Wednesday afternoon. This will be the second meeting between UT and OSU this season. The Orange and White topped then-No. 33 Ohio State, 6-1, on Jan. 30.
First serve for Wednesday's match is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Get interactive with Lady Vol tennis! Follow the Lady Vols on Twitter at twitter.com/ladyvol_tennis or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ladyvoltennis.
#17 Notre Dame 5, #18 Tennessee 2
Singles competition
1. #3 Kristy Frilling (ND) def. #42 Natalie Pluskota (TENN) 6-1, 6-0
2. #38 Shannon Matthews (ND) def. Rosalía Alda (TENN) 6-4, 6-4
3. Brynn Boren (TENN) def. Kristen Rafael (ND) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
4. Jennifer Kellner (ND) def. Kata Szekely (TENN) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (13-11)
5. Chrissie McGaffigan (ND) def. Maria Sorbello (TENN) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Millie Nichols (TENN) def. Julie Sabacinski (ND) 7-5, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #33 Kristy Frilling/Shannon Matthews (ND) def. #59 Natalie Pluskota/Millie Nichols (TENN) 8-5
2. Chrissie McGaffigan/Kristen Rafael (ND) def. Rosalía Alda/Maria Sorbello (TENN) 8-6
3. Kata Szekely/Jennifer Meredith (TENN) def. Jennifer Kellner/Julie Sabacinski (ND) 9-7
Match Notes:
Notre Dame 9-7, 0-1; National ranking #17
Tennessee 10-4, 3-0; National ranking #18
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,6,2,3,5,4)
Players Mentioned
