No. 18 Lady Vols Sweep Furman and Chattanooga in Doubleheader

Sunday, January 14

Knoxville, TN

All Day

University of Tennessee

Chattanooga

No. 18 Lady Vols Sweep Furman and Chattanooga in Doubleheader

January 14, 2024 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Furman Box Score (PDF)Chattanooga Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – The No. 18 Tennessee women's tennis (2-0) opened up the 2024 slate by picking up two victories against Furman and Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon at Goodfriend Tennis Center. The Lady Volunteers cruised to 7-0 wins over both the Paladins and the Mocs.

"Our entire team is excited about this season," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "We have got a very mature and experienced group of young women who are prepared to compete for a championship."

Tennessee 7, Furman 0

Tennessee was quick to clinch the doubles point against Furman with two commanding decisions. Graduate student Alana Wolfberg and senior Esther Adeshina tallied a 6-1 win over Maeve Thornton and Jess Dawson, followed by senior Sofia Cabezas and junior Elza Tomase clinching the doubles point from a 6-4 win against Grace Thomas and Sara Synder. Sophomore Catherine Aulia and senior Lauren Anzalotta stopped at the 5-5 mark due to the Volunteers clinching.

In singles, No. 92 Cabezas was the first Lady Vol to claim a victory, winning, 6-1, 6-1, over Sara Synder. Adeshina added a 6-0, 7-5 win against Macy Hitchcock, while No. 100 Eleonora Molinaro was not far behind by notching a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Grace Thomas to clinch the match.

Anzalotta blazed past Jess Dawson in a 6-4, 6-4 result. Meanwhile, No. 91 Wolfberg's match was nothing short of a thriller. The Orlando, Fla., native shut out Maeve Thorton, 6-0, in the first set. In the second set, Wolfberg logged a 7-6 victory, taking a 7-5 tiebreaker for a 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) final score. Catherine Aulia rounded out singles with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Ellie Shulson.

Tennessee 7, Chattanooga 0

Tennessee then turned its attention to the Mocs and quickly claimed the doubles point. Molinaro and Leyla Britez Risso recorded a dominant victory against Maragret Manolache and Emma Pedretti, 6-2. Cabezas and Tomase clinched a 6-4 win over Caroline Gibbens and Emma Peeler. Adeshina and Aulia were stopped at 5-4 against Alice Hall and Dohnalova when Tennessee clinched the point.

Singles play was highlighted by Adeshina, as she recorded two unblemished sets to put Margaret Manolache away, 6-0, 6-0. Cabezas followed by putting up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Rozalie Dohnalova while Britez Risso racked up a 6-3, 6-1 score against Emma Pedretti.

Molinaro took a 6-2, 6-1 triumph against Alice Hall, while Tomase added a 7-5, 6-1 win over Emma Peeler. Play was concluded by Aulia's 6-2, 6-2 decision against Caroline Gibbens.

Match Notables

The Big Orange improved to 13-0 all-time against Furman with the triumph, including 8-0 at home.

The Lady Vols moved to 11-3 all-time against Chattanooga, picking up a win in each of their last seven meetings.

Between both opponents in doubles and singles matches, Tennessee logged 16 total wins on the day.

Under the direction of Ojeda, Sunday's matches marked the eighth consecutive season the team has won its opener. Also, this is the seventh time the squad has started play 2-0 in the Ojeda era.

Senior Sofia Cabezas and graduate student Alana Wolfberg both picked up their first victories on Rocky Top.

Esther Adeshina produced three 6-0 shutout singles sets on the day.

UP NEXT:
The Lady Volunteers will host Wake Forest and Bellarmine for a doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 21, at Goodfriend Tennis Center. First serve against the Deacons is slated for 9:30 a.m., followed by the match against Bellarmine at 6:30 p.m.

Match 1 Results
Doubles
1. Alana Wolfberg/Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Maeve Thornton/Jess Dawson (FUR) 6-1
2. Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase (TENN) def. Sara Snyder/Grace Thomas (FUR) 6-4
3. Catherine Aulia/Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) vs. Ellie Schulson/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) 5-5, unfinished

Order of finish:1,2,3

Singles
1. #92 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) def. Sara Snyder (FUR) 6-1, 6-1
2. #91 Alana Wolfberg (TENN) def. Maeve Thornton (FUR) 6-0, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Ellie Schulson (FUR) 7-6 (7-1), 6-4
4. #100 Eleonora Molinaro (TENN) def. Grace Thomas (FUR) 6-2, 6-4
5. Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) 6-0, 7-5
6. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) def. Jess Dawson (FUR) 6-4, 6-4

Order of finish: 1,5,4,2,6,3

Match 2 Results
Doubles
1. Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase (TENN) def. Caroline Gibbens/Emma Peeler (UTC) 6-4
2. Esther Adeshina/Catherine Aulia (TENN) vs. Rozalie Dohnalova/Alice Hall (UTC) 5-4, unfinished
3. Eleonora Molinaro/Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Margaret Manolache/Emma Pedretti (UTC) 6-2

Order of finish: 3,1,2

Singles
1. #92 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) def. Rozalie Dohnalova (UTC) 6-2, 6-1
2. Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Caroline Gibbens (UTC) 6-2, 6-2
3. #115 Elza Tomase (TENN) def. Emma Peeler (UTC) 7-5, 6-1
4. #100 Eleonora Molinaro (TENN) def. Alice Hall (UTC) 6-2, 6-1
5. Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Margaret Manolache (UTC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Emma Pedretti (UTC) 6-3, 6-1

Order of finish: 5,1,6,4,3,2