University of Tennessee Athletics
Thursday, April 2
Columbia, S.C.
5 p.m. ET
University of Tennessee
1
at
4
South Carolina
#15 Lady Vols falter, drop 4-1 road decision to #33 South Carolina
April 02, 2026 | Women's Tennis
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 15 University of Tennessee women's tennis team (11-7, 6-6) suffered a 4-1 road setback Thursday to No. 33 South Carolina.
"South Carolina had nothing to lose tonight and came out swinging," Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. "They performed better than us and deserved the win.
"For our team, it's time to show ourselves how good we are," Ojeda continued. "In doing so, we will limit external and internal distractions."
Tennessee dropped the doubles point, losing sets on courts two and one to give the Gamecocks (10-10, 3-9) a 1-0 lead. Lady Vols Katrina Scott and Maeve Thornton led, 5-2, on court three at the time doubles play concluded.
Tennessee struggled to turn the tides to open singles play, winning just two first sets across the six courts. Catherine Aulia, on court four, claimed a 6-4 frame while Francesca Mattioli earned a 6-4 set win on court five. Mattioli won five straight games to overcome an early 1-4 first set deficit.
The Gamecocks would register two more dual points before the Lady Vols managed one of their own. South Carolina's Jane Dunyon earned a victory on court six and No. 50 Helena Buchwald logged a win on court two to extend the lead to 3-0.
Now with no room for error, Mattioli pulled through with a 6-3 second stanza to claim court five, giving Tennessee its first point.
Following the win on court five, Tennessee needed wins on courts one, three and four to complete a comeback.
Lady Vol freshman No. 28 Katrina Scott opened with a back-and-forth first set, which culminated in the Lady Vols' first tiebreak set of the evening. No. 57 Kaitlyn Carnicella would take that tiebreak frame, and back up her performance with a 6-3 second set, sealing the win for the Gamecocks.
Catherine Aulia, on court one, and Leyla Britez Risso, manning court three, were each headed to third sets before the win was sealed.
NEXT UP:
Tennessee will be back in action Saturday, as it takes on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Ga. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. ET.
"South Carolina had nothing to lose tonight and came out swinging," Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. "They performed better than us and deserved the win.
"For our team, it's time to show ourselves how good we are," Ojeda continued. "In doing so, we will limit external and internal distractions."
Tennessee dropped the doubles point, losing sets on courts two and one to give the Gamecocks (10-10, 3-9) a 1-0 lead. Lady Vols Katrina Scott and Maeve Thornton led, 5-2, on court three at the time doubles play concluded.
Tennessee struggled to turn the tides to open singles play, winning just two first sets across the six courts. Catherine Aulia, on court four, claimed a 6-4 frame while Francesca Mattioli earned a 6-4 set win on court five. Mattioli won five straight games to overcome an early 1-4 first set deficit.
The Gamecocks would register two more dual points before the Lady Vols managed one of their own. South Carolina's Jane Dunyon earned a victory on court six and No. 50 Helena Buchwald logged a win on court two to extend the lead to 3-0.
Now with no room for error, Mattioli pulled through with a 6-3 second stanza to claim court five, giving Tennessee its first point.
Following the win on court five, Tennessee needed wins on courts one, three and four to complete a comeback.
Lady Vol freshman No. 28 Katrina Scott opened with a back-and-forth first set, which culminated in the Lady Vols' first tiebreak set of the evening. No. 57 Kaitlyn Carnicella would take that tiebreak frame, and back up her performance with a 6-3 second set, sealing the win for the Gamecocks.
Catherine Aulia, on court one, and Leyla Britez Risso, manning court three, were each headed to third sets before the win was sealed.
NEXT UP:
Tennessee will be back in action Saturday, as it takes on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Ga. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
12
63
Kaitlyn Carnicella / 0 (57/-) [SC]
76
#2 Singles Match
12
36
Helena Buchwald / 0 (50/-) [SC]
67
#3 Singles Match
123
660
Sara Borkop / 0 [SC]
72UF
#4 Singles Match
123
650
Taylor Goetz / 0 [SC]
47UF
#5 Singles Match
12
66
Jana Stojanova / 0 [SC]
43
#6 Singles Match
12
35
Jane Dunyon / 0 [SC]
67
Order of Finish:
6,2,5,1
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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