University of Tennessee Athletics
Sunday, September 22
Furman, S.C.
University of Tennessee
at
Furman
Photo by: Austin Perryman/Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Complete Fall Debut at Furman Fall Classic
September 22, 2019 | Women's Tennis
FURMAN, S.C. –The Tennessee women's tennis team wrapped up play at the Furman Fall Classic Sunday, concluding its first fall tournament of the year.
"On the bus ride home from Furman South Carolina today, the Lady Vol tennis team has smiles on their faces and a feeling of pride in their hearts," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Our increased focus on the importance of strength training these past three seasons means that we're stronger than we've ever been, and it shows, as were able to compete at a high level on day three of the tournament."
Junior Kaitlin Staines capped off an impressive fall debut with her third singles win in as many matches, taking down Ohio State's Irina Cantos in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
"It was a really fun weekend with the girls to get the fall tournaments started," Staines said. "We all competed really well every day and the team is extremely happy with all the positives that came out of the tournament. We are all looking forward to getting back home and working on both strengths and weaknesses before we get to compete again."
Johanna Silva closed out the weekend winning her singles flight by default. She went 2-0 on the weekend individually.
"It was a successful weekend," said Silva. "We were able to compete as a team on a very high level and pushed ourselves to the limit. I am proud of everyone for having great a attitude and high energy throughout the whole tournament.
"I am super excited for the next matches and can't wait for the season to start."
Despite a loss on Sunday, junior Tenika McGiffin finished the weekend second in her singles flight. McGiffin won matches on Friday and Saturday and dropped a close two-set match on Sunday, 7-6 (0), 6-4.
Freshman Callie Creath went 2-1 on the weekend, winning the backstage of her bracket in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Creath, along with Ariadna Riley won their doubles flight on day two of the tournament.
"This weekend was a very fun first college tennis weekend," said Creath. "Overall, the team did very well. We were the most fit out of all the teams thanks to coach Brad Roll. We were always cheering for each other and having a good time. I am excited going forward and playing more tennis with my team."
Added Riley: "We started off the year with a strong performance. I couldn't be prouder of the girls and the heart we showed all three days of the tournament. Not only did we shine in terms of our resilience and willingness to compete, but we also executed in the things we do every day in practice. We're looking forward to our next tournament on the schedule and to show what being a Vol is all about."
"The girls made the coaching staff proud this weekend by executing the skills that Jarryd (Chaplin) and I have been laying out for them at practice," said Ojeda. Our focus will continue to be on developing our team in practice everyday so that we can compete for championships."
Up Next: The Lady Vols head south again next weekend, this time to compete in the USTA Top 25 Invite in Orlando, Fla. Play will stretch over the course of Friday through Sunday. Draws will be announced closer to the time of the event.
Sunday's Results
Singles
Rebeka Mertena (UT) def. Kenzy Middlebrooks (6-3, 6-3)
Kaitlin Staines (UT) def. Irina Cantos (4-6, 6-4, 7-5)
Johanna Silva (UT) – default
Nandini Das def. Tenika McGiffin (UT) (7-6 (0), 6-4)
Callie Creath (UT) def. Zaina Nait Omar (3-6, 6-4, 6-1)
Danni Vines def. Kylie Duckworth (UT), 6-2, 7-5)
Mary Hunter Hyche def. Lyric Bonilla (UT) (6-2, 6-4)
"On the bus ride home from Furman South Carolina today, the Lady Vol tennis team has smiles on their faces and a feeling of pride in their hearts," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Our increased focus on the importance of strength training these past three seasons means that we're stronger than we've ever been, and it shows, as were able to compete at a high level on day three of the tournament."
Junior Kaitlin Staines capped off an impressive fall debut with her third singles win in as many matches, taking down Ohio State's Irina Cantos in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
"It was a really fun weekend with the girls to get the fall tournaments started," Staines said. "We all competed really well every day and the team is extremely happy with all the positives that came out of the tournament. We are all looking forward to getting back home and working on both strengths and weaknesses before we get to compete again."
Johanna Silva closed out the weekend winning her singles flight by default. She went 2-0 on the weekend individually.
"It was a successful weekend," said Silva. "We were able to compete as a team on a very high level and pushed ourselves to the limit. I am proud of everyone for having great a attitude and high energy throughout the whole tournament.
"I am super excited for the next matches and can't wait for the season to start."
Despite a loss on Sunday, junior Tenika McGiffin finished the weekend second in her singles flight. McGiffin won matches on Friday and Saturday and dropped a close two-set match on Sunday, 7-6 (0), 6-4.
Freshman Callie Creath went 2-1 on the weekend, winning the backstage of her bracket in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Creath, along with Ariadna Riley won their doubles flight on day two of the tournament.
"This weekend was a very fun first college tennis weekend," said Creath. "Overall, the team did very well. We were the most fit out of all the teams thanks to coach Brad Roll. We were always cheering for each other and having a good time. I am excited going forward and playing more tennis with my team."
Added Riley: "We started off the year with a strong performance. I couldn't be prouder of the girls and the heart we showed all three days of the tournament. Not only did we shine in terms of our resilience and willingness to compete, but we also executed in the things we do every day in practice. We're looking forward to our next tournament on the schedule and to show what being a Vol is all about."
"The girls made the coaching staff proud this weekend by executing the skills that Jarryd (Chaplin) and I have been laying out for them at practice," said Ojeda. Our focus will continue to be on developing our team in practice everyday so that we can compete for championships."
Up Next: The Lady Vols head south again next weekend, this time to compete in the USTA Top 25 Invite in Orlando, Fla. Play will stretch over the course of Friday through Sunday. Draws will be announced closer to the time of the event.
Sunday's Results
Singles
Rebeka Mertena (UT) def. Kenzy Middlebrooks (6-3, 6-3)
Kaitlin Staines (UT) def. Irina Cantos (4-6, 6-4, 7-5)
Johanna Silva (UT) – default
Nandini Das def. Tenika McGiffin (UT) (7-6 (0), 6-4)
Callie Creath (UT) def. Zaina Nait Omar (3-6, 6-4, 6-1)
Danni Vines def. Kylie Duckworth (UT), 6-2, 7-5)
Mary Hunter Hyche def. Lyric Bonilla (UT) (6-2, 6-4)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ 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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