#20 Tennessee Fends Off Seminoles, 4-3

Sunday, February 18

Tallahassee, FL

Noon

University of Tennessee

Florida State

February 18, 2024 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The No. 20 Tennessee Women's tennis team finished the weekend in the Sunshine State by etching a 4-3 victory against Florida State on Sunday afternoon at Scott Speicher Tennis Center. The Lady Vols dropped the doubles point, but four valiant singles wins propelled the squad past the Seminoles.

"Honestly, it feels like it is late April in terms of the type of match that just happened," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "Going into singles the message was, 'We have to earn every win.' We had to be ready to play big-time tennis in big-time moments. To Florida State's credit, they stepped up on all six courts in singles and we saw their best tennis. I think we won the match because, ultimately, we were disciplined in the big moments across the board. Every one of the girls on the team showed tremendous heart and desire to win at another level today. One hundred percent a team win and really proud and excited for this team."

After a back-and-forth doubles affair, Tennessee (8-2) only posted one win, falling short of the doubles point against Florida State (4-3). Lauren Anzalotta and Catherine Aulia were the only duo to post a doubles victory, beating Laura Putz and Millie Bissett, 6-3. On court two, No. 51 Alana Wolfberg and Esther Adeshina lost in a 5-7 battle versus No. 45 Ellie Schoppe and Maelie Monfils. The No. 29-ranked pair of Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase forced opponents Anna Arkadianou and Vic Allen to a tiebreaker, before falling, 6-7 (2). It was only the second time this season the Big Orange did not land the doubles point.

The Lady Vols regrouped after losing the doubles point, rallying to piece together four wins in singles. Adeshina led the quartet by stringing together a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Maelie Monfils on court six. No. 94 Wolfberg followed by downing Anna Arkadianou in a 7-5, 6-2 win. No. 31 Cabezas notched a huge top-40 victory against No. 37 Ellie Schoppe in a 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 decision. No. 125 Anzalotta logged the final win over Laura Putz in a three-set triumph, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5.

"This match was a battle," Anzalotta said. "We knew coming in that they were going to compete on every single court, but it was a battle all the way until the end. I mean, every court was close. I am just so proud of every girl on the team and our fight and our hustle. That was very key today, to hustle to every ball. This was my first time clinching and it is an unbelievable feeling."

Tomase and Aulia were the lone Lady Vols to fall in singles. Tomase fell to Vic Allen, 5-7, 2-6. No. 83 Aulia dropped her match against Millie Bissett, 6-7(5), 6-2, 1-6.

NEXT UP:

The Lady Vols will take a week-long break before returning back to action on March 1, traveling to Arkansas for a 3 p.m. ET match.

Match Notables:

The win marked the 773rd victory for the Tennessee women's tennis program.
Head coach Alison Ojeda now owns 129 victories during her tenure.
The Lady Vols now own a 7-2 all-time record against the Seminoles, registering their second victory in the Ojeda era.
Tennessee dropped the doubles point for just the second time in 10 matches this season.
The match in Tallahassee marked the Lady Vols' second time playing on outdoor courts this season.
Including today's affair, Tennessee has registered a 2-1 record against ACC foes this season. On Jan. 21, the Lady Vols took down Wake Forest in a 6-1 win, before falling to No. 7 NC State 3-4, on Feb. 3 at Goodfriend Tennis Center.