Briggs Extends Winning Streak in June Stewart Invitational Finale

Sunday, November 1

Nashville, TN

TBA

University of Tennessee

June Stewart Invitational

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.10.16 - Tennessee vs. Georgia

Photo by: Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

Briggs Extends Winning Streak in June Stewart Invitational Finale

November 01, 2020 | Women's Tennis

By: Ricky Martinez

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The final day of the 2020 fall season saw sophomore Carly Briggs extend her season-long winning streak in the June Stewart Invitational.

"I have learned a lot about our team during the last six weeks of competition," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "First and foremost, this team loves each other; every single player, coach, trainer and manager knows that we have each other's back. Right now, with so much uncertainty in our world, that's a wonderful feeling. I've also learned that we are improving."

The Lady Vols wrapped up the June Stewart Invitational winning 11 singles and a pair of doubles matches.

"We understand why we win points and why we lose them; as silly as that sounds, a lot of players struggle to identify that," Ojeda said. "Understanding why we win as individuals allows us to practice with a clear purpose, which leads to competing with clarity. While maintaining our foundation of consistency, footwork and shot selection, we are adding more offense to our game. We are understanding how important it is to take time away from our opponents and when to capitalize on opportunities per point. I'm really looking forward to our offseason together because we will embrace all that we have learned as we prepare for the spring season."

A native of Calhoun, Georgia, Briggs defeated Auburn's Selin Ovunc in a three-set bout (2-6, 6-1, 7-5) to win her fifth-straight match dating back to Oct. 17th.

"First off, I am extremely grateful that we got the opportunity to go back to Vanderbilt and compete in the third fall tournament," Briggs said. "I feel like I definitely gave my all out there this weekend and it paid off. I have always loved competing and I always want to do my best no matter what the score is."

Briggs went a perfect 3-0 in solo play in the June Stewart Invitational to end the fall season with a 7-2 record and sits with a 19-5 career ledger heading into the spring season. With her win today, she owns a perfect 6-0 career record in three-set matches.

Junior Daria Kuczer, who was the first Lady Vol off court on Sunday, picked up her sixth solo win in Orange and White. The Szczecin, Poland, product downed Auburn's Carolyn Ansari 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Freshman Esther Adeshina picked up the final win of the 2020 fall campaign with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Auburn's Shir Azran. Adeshina wraps up her debut fall season with a 5-3 mark and holds a 3-2 record in three-set matches.

"Being on this team this fall has been incredible," Adeshina said. "All the girls are like my sisters, we are family. I know that they will support me no matter what whether I'm winning or losing, they will all be there by my side. Some of the matches I have won this fall have been because of them and their belief in me when I didn't have any in myself and I am grateful to be part of this team. The coaches have also been there for me on and off court and I know that they have my best intentions at heart. Overall I love my new family."

The Tennessee women's tennis team will announce the 2021 spring schedule on a later date.

Sunday's Results
Singles
Carly Briggs (UT) def. Selin Ovunc (Aub) 2-6, 6-1, 7-5
Yu Chen (Aub) def. Rebeka Mertena (UT) 7-5, 6-3
Daria Kuczer (UT) def. Carolyn Ansari (Aub) 7-6 (5), 6-4
Georgie Axon (Aub) def. Johanna Silva (UT) 6-2, 6-1
Adeline Flach (Aub) def. Tenika McGiffin (UT) 6-4, 7-6 (8)
Esther Adeshina (UT) def. Shir Azran (Aub) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

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