Tag: Alison Ojeda

Tennessee extends Alison Ojeda’s contract

Tennessee extends contract for women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda.

Tennessee announced a contract extension for women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda on Thursday. Her contract extension is through June 30, 2029.

“Alison’s competitive drive and commitment to the student-athlete experience is extraordinary,” Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White said. “As a former Tennessee student-athlete, she takes great pride in the holistic development of everyone in her program. Her passion for Tennessee, her ability to teach and develop talent and her commitment to fostering a championship culture will continue to elevate her program and allow them to consistently compete for SEC and National Championships.”

Ojeda has served as the Lady Vols’ head coach since Nov. 2016.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Lady Vols hire Elizabeth Scotty as assistant coach

Tennessee announces the hiring of Elizabeth Scotty as assistant coach.

Tennessee announced the hiring of women’s tennis assistant coach Elizabeth Scotty on Wednesday.

Scotty played at North Carolina from 2019-24.

“Elizabeth Scotty is arguably one of the best to ever play at North Carolina,” North Carolina head coach Brian Kalbas said. “She has won eight national championships during her tenure at UNC. However, what separates her from anyone else is that she is a much better person than a tennis player. She is a great student of the game and has an incredible tennis IQ. She will be a natural as a coach. Alison and Tennessee are so fortunate to have her on their staff. We are so happy for Scotty to be in the coaching profession and wish her all the best.”

Lady Vols’ tennis head coach Alison Ojeda also discussed the addition of Scotty.

“I have a great amount of respect for Brian Kalbas and his teams,” Ojeda said. “When he called about Scotty, I was thrilled. She is going to bring a wealth of experience with her as she becomes a Lady Vol!”

Alison Ojeda. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Vanesa Suarez signs with Lady Vols

The Lady Vols announced the signing of Kansas State transfer Vanesa Suarez on Monday.

Tennessee announced the addition of Vanesa Suarez to the Lady Vols’ tennis program on Monday.

“We are very excited to add Vanesa to our team,” Tennessee tennis head coach Alison Ojeda said. “She will bring some experience to our program and most importantly, she fits the culture we work hard for.”

Suarez transferred to Tennessee from Kansas State. She played for the Wildcats from 2022-24 and will have two years of eligibility remaining at Tennessee. Suarez is from Valencia, Venezuela.

“We are very excited,” Tennessee associate head coach Matias Marin said. “Vanesa has experience and is the right fit for our culture and team. She will continue to help us elevate our program even higher.”

The Lady Vols advanced to the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 2024.

Alison Ojeda. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Lady Vols advance to Final Four for first time since 2002

Tennessee tennis advances to the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the first time since 2002.

No. 16 seed Tennessee defeated No. 8 seed UCLA, 4-3, in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Friday. The match was contested at Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Tennessee advances to the Final Four for the first time since 2002. The Lady Vols are also the lowest seed to advance to the Final Four since a 64-team format was implemented in 1999.

“I’m so incredibly happy and proud,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “We have said for this entire year that there is just something really special about this group. Not only are they good, but they have this togetherness that allows them to elevate each other’s performance. That’s what you guys saw tonight from start to finish. I couldn’t be more excited for these guys.”

Tennessee will next play No. 13 seed Texas A&M on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. EDT in the Final Four.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Lady Vols to host NCAA Tournament regional

Lady Vols to host NCAA Tournament regional as a No. 16 seed.

Tennessee (18-7, 9-4) earned a No. 16 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Lady Vols will host the Knoxville Regional first and second rounds at Barksdale Stadium.

“Our team is excited to be hosting the first two rounds of the tournament again,” Lady Vols’ tennis head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Our squad has worked really hard and they have earned the opportunity to compete at home on Rocky Top!”

2024 NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional women’s tennis schedule

Friday, May 4

Match 1 – Duke vs. ETSU – 10 a.m. EDT
Match 2 – Tennessee vs. Murray State – 1 p.m. EDT

Saturday, May 5

Match 3 – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2 – 1 p.m. EDT

Lady Vols advance to SEC Tournament semifinals after Auburn win

Lady Vols tennis advances to SEC Tournament semifinals after Auburn win.

No. 17 Tennessee (18-6, 9-4 SEC) defeated No. 16 Auburn (16-10, 9-4 SEC), 4-3, on Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

The Lady Vols advance to the semifinals against No. 1 seed Georgia on Saturday at 3 p.m. EDT. The SEC Tournament is taking place at Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia.

“We knew this evening would be a battle against Auburn and that’s exactly what it was, right up until the last point,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Our team did an amazing job at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to give us a 1-0 lead going into singles. We battled on every court, just as they did. Sofia (Cabezas) played very committed and disciplined tennis, which is why she was able to beat one of the best players in college tennis.”

Alison Ojeda recaps Lady Vols’ win at Alabama

Alison Ojeda recaps Tennessee’s win at Alabama.

No. 24 Tennessee (13-6, 5-4 SEC) defeated No. 23 Alabama (14-6, 5-5 SEC), 4-1, on Sunday at Alabama Tennis Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

“So proud of the team,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “We have had a really good season, we have a great team with a fantastic group of girls. The thing is that sometimes you can put in all the work and it does not necessarily mean you are going to win a match. We came out today start to finish, and started the match with a certain level of intensity. The only expectation that we had was on ourselves. It had nothing to do with the result or what our opponent was doing.

“We really wanted to focus on our strengths and the girls did that from start to finish today. I am proud of them because Alabama fought hard, we knew they would. On every court we competed, Alana (Wolfberg) battled through doubles which was a huge help and we needed Leyla (Britez Risso) to play again at the last minute and she was right there in a match with a good player. Could not be any more excited for the girls but very excited to get home and play in front of our home crowd for the last four SEC matches of the season.”

No. 22 South Carolina defeats No. 16 Lady Vols

No. 22 South Carolina tennis defeats No. 16 Lady Vols.

No. 22 South Carolina (9-3, 1-2 SEC) defeated No. 16 Tennessee (10-3, 2-1 SEC), 4-3, on Friday at Carolina Tennis Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

“South Carolina came out swinging freely and they played very well from start to finish,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Tonight’s loss hurts pretty badly because we didn’t feel like we were our toughest, and as a competitor, you never want to leave the court feeling that way.

“Good news, we get another opportunity on Sunday to go out and give it everything we have. I’ve been a part of a lot of great teams in my 26 years in college tennis, but there is something special about this squad that stands out daily.”

Tennessee-South Carolina tennis results

Singles

1. #27 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) def. #8 Ayana Akli (SC) 6-2, 6-4

2. #10 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Elza Tomase (TENN) 6-3, 6-4

3. #125 Shahar Biran (SC) def. Alana Wolfberg (TENN) 6-1, 6-2

4. #121 Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1

5. Elise Mills (SC) def. Esther Adeshina (TENN) 3-6, 6-0, 6-1

6. Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

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

Doubles

1. #57 Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase (TENN) def. #41 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) 7-5

2. #51 Esther Adeshina/Alana Wolfberg (TENN) def. Shahar Biran/Elise Mills (SC) 7-5

3. Misa Malkin/Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Catherine Aulia/Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) 6-3

Order of finish: (3,1,2)

Alison Ojeda wins 130th match as Lady Vols’ head coach

Alison Ojeda wins 130th match as the Lady Vols’ head coach.

No. 20 Tennessee (9-2, 1-0 SEC) defeated No, 43 Arkansas (7-4, 0-1 SEC), 6-1, Friday at Billingsley Tennis Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Friday’s match is the 774th all time win for Tennessee and the 130th victory for head coach Alison Ojeda with the Lady Vols.

“Going into the match, we knew Arkansas was going to swing freely against us, no question about that,” Ojeda said. “They did, we went out in doubles and won the point, which I liked, I thought we did a good job and so did Arkansas. What I love about what Esther (Adeshina) did was she got on and off the court quickly. It’s her fifth year in the SEC and she understands how important it is. The leadership that she provided and continues to provide is critical.”

Tennessee-Arkansas tennis results

Singles

1. e#88 Carolina Gomez (ARKW) def. #23 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) 6-1, 6-3

2. Elza Tomase (TENN) def. Kelly Keller (ARKW) 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-4)

3. Alana Wolfberg (TENN) def. Lenka Stara (ARKW) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1

4. #94 Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Morgan Cross (ARKW) 6-1, 6-3

5. Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Kacie Harvey (ARKW) 6-1, 6-1

6. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) def. Anet Koskel (ARKW) 6-2, 6-2

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

Doubles

1. Morgan Cross/Anet Koskel (ARKW) def. #40 Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase (TENN) 6-1

2. Esther Adeshina/Alana Wolfberg (TENN) def. Lenka Stara/Grace O’Donnell (ARKW) 6-4

3. Lauren Anzalotta/Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Kelly Keller/Carolina Gomez (ARKW) 6-1

Order of finish: (3,1,2)

Alison Ojeda earns contract extension

Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda earns contract extension.

Tennessee women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeada earned a contract extension on Thursday.

Ojeda’s contract is extended through June 2027.

“I love being Tennessee’s women’s tennis head coach and coming to work every day to be around such wonderful, competitive and ambitious young women,” Ojeda said in a press release. “I also love that when I recruit, I am recruiting for my alma mater. I gave my all to Tennessee as a student-athlete, and now I get to do it even longer as a coach. I also would like to thank Danny for believing in the work that our team is doing.”

PHOTOS: Lady Vols defeat Wake Forest, advance to tennis super regionals

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