University of Tennessee Athletics
Thursday, October 8
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Tennessee
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ITA Ohio Valley Regionals
Freshmen Shine at ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships
October 14, 2026 | Women's Tennis
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The University of Tennessee women's tennis team concluded play at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships Tuesday, as a freshman duo advanced to the regional doubles final and Lisa Kamigata reached the singles quarterfinal.
"Our team had a good week at regionals," Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. "In particular, we learned a lot about our new players and where we are compared to our competition. The girls showed that they are understanding how to manage their own games and learning why they win points and why they lose points. This is incredibly important because it is what will allow us to develop prior to the start of our spring competition."
The freshman tandem of Sarah Mildren and Alyson Shannon made a run to the regional doubles final, falling just short of a bid to the NCAA Individual Championships.
"Alyson and Sarah are a really good doubles team," Ojeda praised. "They both instinctively understand how to set each other up and both love playing at the net. I feel confident that these two have a bright future ahead of them."
The tandem defeated three duos from SEC schools en route to the final, including a dramatic 6-7 (4), 6-3, 1-0 [12-10] comeback victory over Vanderbilt's Mia Yamakita/Erin Pearce.
Kamigata, also a freshman, staged the deepest run by any of the Lady Vols' singles entries. She managed five singles victories in four days, emerging from the qualifying draw to stage her deep run.
"This tournament, I learned that [Lisa] absolutely loves competing on game day." Ojeda said of her protégé. "She looks forward to adversity and is confident about who she is as a competitor."
The Chiba, Japan, native defeated multiple SEC foes, including last year's Ohio Valley Regional singles champion, Vanderbilt's Mia Yamakita. She defeated Yamakita in comeback fashion, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, in the round of 16.
For complete results from The ITA Ohio Valley Regionals, visit the tournament homepage.
"Our team had a good week at regionals," Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. "In particular, we learned a lot about our new players and where we are compared to our competition. The girls showed that they are understanding how to manage their own games and learning why they win points and why they lose points. This is incredibly important because it is what will allow us to develop prior to the start of our spring competition."
The freshman tandem of Sarah Mildren and Alyson Shannon made a run to the regional doubles final, falling just short of a bid to the NCAA Individual Championships.
"Alyson and Sarah are a really good doubles team," Ojeda praised. "They both instinctively understand how to set each other up and both love playing at the net. I feel confident that these two have a bright future ahead of them."
The tandem defeated three duos from SEC schools en route to the final, including a dramatic 6-7 (4), 6-3, 1-0 [12-10] comeback victory over Vanderbilt's Mia Yamakita/Erin Pearce.
Kamigata, also a freshman, staged the deepest run by any of the Lady Vols' singles entries. She managed five singles victories in four days, emerging from the qualifying draw to stage her deep run.
"This tournament, I learned that [Lisa] absolutely loves competing on game day." Ojeda said of her protégé. "She looks forward to adversity and is confident about who she is as a competitor."
The Chiba, Japan, native defeated multiple SEC foes, including last year's Ohio Valley Regional singles champion, Vanderbilt's Mia Yamakita. She defeated Yamakita in comeback fashion, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, in the round of 16.
For complete results from The ITA Ohio Valley Regionals, visit the tournament homepage.
Players Mentioned
Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 20
Saturday, May 18
Wednesday, May 15
