University of Tennessee Athletics
Thursday, February 15
Raleigh, NC
1:00 p.m.
University of Tennessee
4
at
3
NC State
Lady Vols Pull Away to Defeat NC State, 4-3
February 15, 2018 | Women's Tennis
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Tennessee women's tennis team won its 10th consecutive match on Thursday, defeating NC State at J.W. Isenour Tennis Center, 4-3.
After splitting the first two courts to finish in doubles, the Lady Vols (10-0) won a hard-fought match on Court 2 to take an early 1-0 advantage. In singles, NC State claimed two of the first three matches, but UT pulled away in the end by taking three of the courts to get the victory.
"NC State was really good," said head coach Alison Ojeda. "They are the best team we've played so far. I definitely give them credit for forcing our team to step up and find another gear. You know you're a part of something special when the team wants to be great for one another the way we do. We feed off of each other's energy, and in this sport, at this level, that goes a long way. Our team's desire for excellence is one Tennessee can be proud of. I'm looking forward to the bus ride back with this team."
A 6-1 loss to the seventh-ranked doubles team in the country put Tennessee at a disadvantage early. Elizabeth Profit and Tenika McGiffin would even things out by getting a 6-1 win over Bianca Moldovan and Helene Grimm.
After being down 5-1, the duo of Ariadna Riley and Kaitlin Staines fought back to win in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (6), to clinch doubles for UT and improve the duo's record to 8-0 in dual-match play.
"Today was an unbelievable team effort," Staines said. "We just kept on fighting right until the final point on every court. To come away with a win in the doubles after being 5-1 down and fighting back to win didn't only give myself and Ari confidence but our team as well. These girls are the best teammates who constantly show support, and now, we are ready for what comes next."
The Wolfpack (3-4) tied things up with a 6-2, 6-2 win on Court 1 in singles. Staines defeated Amanda Rebol, 6-3, 6-4, to regain the lead, but NC State answered once again with a 6-3, 6-4 edging on Court 2.
Gabby Schuck responded by downing Claudia Wiktorin, 6-4, 6-2, to give UT a 3-2 lead and win her eighth straight match. Profit sealed the victory for Tennessee, battling to beat Bianca Moldovan in a 7-6 (2), 6-3 match.
"Clinching today's match was really exciting," said Profit. "I'm so glad that I had the team supporting me out there. I couldn't have done it without them."
UT heads to Fort Myers, Fla., next weekend for matches against Georgia State (Feb. 24) and Florida Gulf Coast (Feb. 25) before starting conference play the following week.
"I'm incredibly proud of the team's fight and passion today," said Schuck. "The culture and environment we have is unbelievable, and everyone knows we can rely on one another in tough situations. We all have been working our tails off day in and day out, and it's been showing during the matches. I can't wait to keep the momentum going and to continue to represent the university to the best of my ability."
"Words can't describe how proud I am of my teammates," said Hammond. "Every match we play, we show more of our heart, fight, and care for Tennessee, our program, and each other. It's something really special, and I can't wait until we play at home so all our fans can be a part of it."
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee women's tennis program, follow @Vol_WTennis on Twitter.
Tennessee 4, NC State 3
Singles
1. Anna Rogers (NCSU) def. Sadie Hammond (UT), 6-2, 6-2
2. Adriana Reami (NCSU) def. Ariadna Riley (UT), 6-3, 6-4
3. Elizabeth Profit (UT) def. Bianca Moldovan (NCSU), 7-6 (2), 6-3
4. Gabby Schuck (UT) def. Claudia Wiktorin (NCSU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Taylor Bridges (NCSU) def. Johanna Silva (UT), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
6. Kaitlin Staines (UT) def. Amanda Rebol (NCSU), 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. #7 Wiktorin/Rogers (NCSU) def. Hammond/Schuck (UT), 6-1
2. Riley/Staines (UT) def. Rebol/Reami (NCSU), 7-6 (6)
3. McGiffin/Profit (UT) def. Moldovan/Grimm (NCSU), 6-1
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (1, 6, 2, 4, 3, 5)
After splitting the first two courts to finish in doubles, the Lady Vols (10-0) won a hard-fought match on Court 2 to take an early 1-0 advantage. In singles, NC State claimed two of the first three matches, but UT pulled away in the end by taking three of the courts to get the victory.
"NC State was really good," said head coach Alison Ojeda. "They are the best team we've played so far. I definitely give them credit for forcing our team to step up and find another gear. You know you're a part of something special when the team wants to be great for one another the way we do. We feed off of each other's energy, and in this sport, at this level, that goes a long way. Our team's desire for excellence is one Tennessee can be proud of. I'm looking forward to the bus ride back with this team."
A 6-1 loss to the seventh-ranked doubles team in the country put Tennessee at a disadvantage early. Elizabeth Profit and Tenika McGiffin would even things out by getting a 6-1 win over Bianca Moldovan and Helene Grimm.
After being down 5-1, the duo of Ariadna Riley and Kaitlin Staines fought back to win in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (6), to clinch doubles for UT and improve the duo's record to 8-0 in dual-match play.
"Today was an unbelievable team effort," Staines said. "We just kept on fighting right until the final point on every court. To come away with a win in the doubles after being 5-1 down and fighting back to win didn't only give myself and Ari confidence but our team as well. These girls are the best teammates who constantly show support, and now, we are ready for what comes next."
The Wolfpack (3-4) tied things up with a 6-2, 6-2 win on Court 1 in singles. Staines defeated Amanda Rebol, 6-3, 6-4, to regain the lead, but NC State answered once again with a 6-3, 6-4 edging on Court 2.
Gabby Schuck responded by downing Claudia Wiktorin, 6-4, 6-2, to give UT a 3-2 lead and win her eighth straight match. Profit sealed the victory for Tennessee, battling to beat Bianca Moldovan in a 7-6 (2), 6-3 match.
"Clinching today's match was really exciting," said Profit. "I'm so glad that I had the team supporting me out there. I couldn't have done it without them."
UT heads to Fort Myers, Fla., next weekend for matches against Georgia State (Feb. 24) and Florida Gulf Coast (Feb. 25) before starting conference play the following week.
"I'm incredibly proud of the team's fight and passion today," said Schuck. "The culture and environment we have is unbelievable, and everyone knows we can rely on one another in tough situations. We all have been working our tails off day in and day out, and it's been showing during the matches. I can't wait to keep the momentum going and to continue to represent the university to the best of my ability."
"Words can't describe how proud I am of my teammates," said Hammond. "Every match we play, we show more of our heart, fight, and care for Tennessee, our program, and each other. It's something really special, and I can't wait until we play at home so all our fans can be a part of it."
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee women's tennis program, follow @Vol_WTennis on Twitter.
Tennessee 4, NC State 3
Singles
1. Anna Rogers (NCSU) def. Sadie Hammond (UT), 6-2, 6-2
2. Adriana Reami (NCSU) def. Ariadna Riley (UT), 6-3, 6-4
3. Elizabeth Profit (UT) def. Bianca Moldovan (NCSU), 7-6 (2), 6-3
4. Gabby Schuck (UT) def. Claudia Wiktorin (NCSU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Taylor Bridges (NCSU) def. Johanna Silva (UT), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
6. Kaitlin Staines (UT) def. Amanda Rebol (NCSU), 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. #7 Wiktorin/Rogers (NCSU) def. Hammond/Schuck (UT), 6-1
2. Riley/Staines (UT) def. Rebol/Reami (NCSU), 7-6 (6)
3. McGiffin/Profit (UT) def. Moldovan/Grimm (NCSU), 6-1
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (1, 6, 2, 4, 3, 5)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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