University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
#4 Stanford
#13 Tennessee Outlasts #4 Stanford, 4-2
February 09, 2025 | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 13 Tennessee women's tennis team capped ITA National Team Indoor Championship play with a win for the first time in program history, knocking off No. 4 Stanford 4-2, Sunday evening at Combe Tennis Center, on the campus of Northwestern University.
"What a weekend," head coach Alison Ojeda exclaimed. "This team just keeps getting better and better every time we compete. What is exciting is that they are hungry for more."
The Lady Vols (6-1) captured a gritty doubles point against the Cardinals, (4-2) to take a 1-0 lead. The No. 75-ranked pair of Elza Tomase and Elim Yan carded the first win over Connie Ma and Valerie Glozman, 6-1. The No. 54-ranked tandem of Vanesa Suarez and Maeve Thornton produced the doubles point by adding a 6-2 victory against Katherine Hui and Caroline Driscoll. Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso held a 4-2 edge over Valencia Xu and Chidimma Okpara before Tennessee locked up the doubles point.
Tennessee took its momentum from doubles into singles, as it sealed up the match with three singles wins. Maeve Thornton nabbed a 6-0, 6-2 victory versus Katherine Hui to put the Big Orange up, 2-0.
"I want to make sure and credit Maeve Thornton for her outstanding performance this evening," Ojeda added. "She knew the game plan and executed it to a Tennessee T! We are excited to fly back home, get some rest and get back to it!"
Stanford picked up a point from Carolina Driscroll who defeated Elim Yan, 6-1, 6-2. The Cardinals evened the contest at 2-2 when No. 7 Tomase dropped a 4-6, 2-6 affair to No. 8 Valerie Glozman. No. 77 Suarez put UT back in front 3-2, with a 7-5, 6-3 decision against Chidimma Okpara. No. 104 Britez Risso tallied the clinching point in 7-5, 6-3 fashion against Valencia Xu. The junior remains flawless in singles, boasting a 7-0 record.
"This team continues to get better and better," associate head coach Matias Marin said. "This weekend we faced great opponents and we were tough as a team. It is early in the season and we are super excited to get back home and continue to keep improving. Super proud of them!"
Up Next: Tennessee will travel to Kentucky on Saturday for its first SEC matchup of the year. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
Match Notables:
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The win marked the 793rd victory for the Tennessee women's tennis program.
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Head coach Alison Ojeda now owns 148 victories during her tenure, the third-winningest coach in program history.
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Tennessee collected its first-ever victory against Stanford, improving its all-time record to 1-4.
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The Lady Vols collected the doubles point for the fifth time this season.
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Sunday's win against Stanford marks the first Top-five victory of the season and the first since the Lady Vols defeated No. 1 Oklahoma State, 4-2, on May 11, 2024.
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Tennessee collected its third ranked win of the 2025 season, as it now owns triumphs over No. 4 Stanford, No. 15 Pepperdine and No. 15 Ohio State.
Results:
Doubles
#75 Elza Tomase/Elim Yan def. Valerie Glozman/Connie Ma 6-1
Catherine Aulia/Leyla Britez Risso vs. Valencia Xu/Chimmida Okpara 5-4 (UF)
#54 Vanesa Suarez/Maeve Thornton def. Katherine Hui/Caroline Driscoll 6-2
Singles
#8 Valerie Glozman def. #7 Elza Tomase 6-4, 6-2
#32 Catherine Aulia vs. Connie Ma 7-6(5), 2-5 (UF)
Maeve Thornton def. Katherine Hui 6-0, 6-2
#104 Leyla Britez Risso def. Valencia Xu 7-5, 6-3
#77 Vanesa Suarez def. Chidimma Okpara 7-5, 6-3
Caroline Driscoll def. Elim Yan 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish (1,3) (3,6,1,5,4)
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
3,6,1,5,4
Players Mentioned
