Lady Vols Fall in SEC Semifinal

Thursday, April 22

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Noon ET

University of Tennessee

Georgia

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2021.03.05 - Tennessee vs. South Carolina

Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

April 22, 2021 | Women's Tennis

By: Ricky Martinez

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Tennessee women's tennis team fell in the semifinal of the SEC Women's Tennis Tournament on Thursday to Georgia, 4-0.

"We came to Tuscaloosa not just to play, but to compete," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Our goal coming into the SEC Tournament was to focus on one match at a time and get redemption on some teams who beat us earlier this season. We did just that against Mississippi State and LSU, but we weren't able to keep the run going today."

The Bulldogs (19-1) took the doubles point over the Lady Vols (16-8) to gain a 1-0 lead with wins on courts one and three.

"Georgia is a heck of a team and we not only competed hard, we played very well," Ojeda said. "There were many moments when the level of tennis was outstanding by all involved. We made UGA rise their level of play in order to beat us, which is progress from when we last played them in the regular season."

On court two, the No. 31-ranked duo of junior Daria Kuczer and Esther Adeshina were ahead 5-3 on Morgan Coppoc and Elena Christofi.

UGA claimed courts two, four and one in singles play to take the match.

"Of course, it is tough to stomach the fact that we lost today," Ojeda said. "I am incredibly proud of our team, I cannot state that enough. Every player has developed so much, and their level of commitment to their craft is really showing right now."

On court three, No. 67-ranked sophomore Carly Briggs was dominant over No. 16-ranked Meg Kowalski. The Calhoun, Georgia product was up 6-3, 5-2 as play was suspended.

Court six saw senior Johanna Silva have yet another impressive outing. The senior was ahead of Christofi 6-2, 5-3 as play was suspended.

"As we finish SEC play, I can say with certainty that we learned a lot from every single match we played this season," Ojeda said. "We will build from these experiences and use them to prepare for NCAA's.

"Our team is young and we have not peaked. There's so much more to come. Tomorrow we will be able to look back at this tournament as a success. We are all excited and so much greatness is within our reach."

Up next, Tennessee will learn its NCAA Tournament draw on Monday, May 3 when the official bracket is released.

#2 Georgia 4, #17 Tennessee 0
Singles competition
1. #3 Katarina Jokic (UGA) def. #85 Rebeka Mertena (UT) 7-5, 6-2
2. #60 Lea Ma (UGA) def. #97 Eleonora Molinaro (UT) 6-1, 6-1
3. #16 Meg Kowalski (UGA) vs. #67 Carly Briggs (UT) 3-6, 2-5, unfinished
4. #55 Morgan Coppoc (UGA) def. Daria Kuczer (UT) 6-4, 6-2
5. #51 Marta Gonzalez (UGA) vs. Tenika McGiffin (UT) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished
6. Elena Christofi (UGA) vs. Johanna Silva (UT) 2-6, 3-5, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #6 Katarina Jokic/Ariana Arseneault (UGA) def. Tenika McGiffin/Eleonora Molinaro (UT) 6-0
2. Morgan Coppoc/Elena Christofi (UGA) vs. #31 Esther Adeshina/Daria Kuczer (UT) 3-5, unfinished
3. Meg Kowalski/Lea Ma (UGA) def. Carly Briggs/Rebeka Mertena (UT) 6-3
Match Notes:
Tennessee 16-8; National ranking #17
Georgia 19-1; National ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,4,1)

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