“The NCAA does a great job of hosting first-class event at the final site of competition, so it’s a fun feeling for three of our girls to walk around the USTA National Campus the last few days, knowing that they have performed well enough to earn them a spot amongst the best in college tennis,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “I look forward to getting out in the heat tomorrow and coaching the girls as they compete against some tough opponents.”
Monday, May 22 – Singles Round of 64 schedule
12:30 p.m. EDT – Elza Tomase versus Abbey Forbes, North Carolina
12:30 p.m. EDT – Rebeka Mertena versus Maddy Sieg, USC
1:30 p.m. EDT – Daria Kuczer versus Natasha Subhash, Virginia
Three Lady Vols Daria Kuczer, Rebeka Mertena and Elza Tomase to compete in NCAA tennis singles championship.
No. 2 seed Texas A&M defeated No. 15 Tennessee, 4-1, in a NCAA Tournament super regional at Mitchell Outdoor Tennis Center in College Station, Texas on Friday.
Team competition concluded for Tennessee’s 2023 season.
Three Lady Vols, Daria Kuczer, Rebeka Mertena and Elza Tomase, will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, taking place in Orlando, Florida May 22-27.
Kuczer and Mertena are graduate students, while Tomase is a sophomore.
Following team competition at Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament, Kuczer and Mertena discussed their time at Tennessee.
Texas A&M’s Jeanette Mireles and Gianna Pielet defeated Eleonora Molinaro and Kuczer, 7-6 (7-5), in doubles competition. In singles competition, Kuczer and Mia Kupres went unfinished, 6-3, 2-6, 5-6.
“The feeling right now is bittersweet,” Kuczer said. “Another chapter in my life came to a close which is my collegiate career with this team, though we have individuals ahead of us. This year was one of the most amazing years I have had and I could not envision a better finish to my career at Tennessee. Collectively, we have done something special for the program, and my hope is that the teams after this will keep breaking records. I could not be more proud of each and every individual on this team and I can never be thankful enough for all the people. I’m not just talking about the team, but the coaches, the staff, the athletic trainers, Izzy Minkin and Yosef Presburger, and our strength and conditioning coach Ryan Metzger. They each gave us something that we could use today and all season.”
Daria Kuczer, Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Mertena and Esther Adeshina defeated Jayci Goldsmith and Salma Ewing, 6-4, in doubles competition.
Salma Ewing and Mertena, 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 3-5, went unfinished in singles-play.
“Obviously, today was extremely emotional as I played my last team match,” Mertena said. “I gave everything I had and I know everyone else did as well. I am so proud of this team and all we accomplished this year. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else by my side. It’s been one helluva ride and I can’t thank enough the people who have been by me through all of it.”
Lady Vols’ Daria Kuczer named to SEC’s all-tournament team.
Tennessee’s Daria Kuczer was named to the 2023 SEC All-Tournament Team.
Kuczer, a graduate student from Szczecin, Poland, won three matches at the SEC Tournament in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Tennessee advanced to the tournament semifinals at Billingsley Tennis Center.
She teamed with doubles partner and junior Eléonora Molinaro for a 2-0 record in the tournament.
Kuczer and Molinaro clinched the doubles point against Kentucky and Georgia.
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Against the Wildcats, Tennessee’s tandem defeated Elile Eades and Makayla Mills, 6-3. The duo also defeated the Bulldogs’ team of Meg Kowalski and Lea Ma, 6-3.
Kuczer was 1-0 in singles play, defeating Eades, 6-3, 6-2, for her 15th dual victory of the season.
Lady Vols’ Daria Kuczer named SEC Player of the Week.
Tennessee tennis student-athlete Daria Kuczer has been named as the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.
Her honors come after defeating No. 25 Abigail Rencheli of North Carolina State, 7-5, 6-2, on Sunday. The victory is her fifth ranked win of the year and second against a top-25 opponent.
“Every team has an individual who is the heartbeat of their team, for us, Daria is that person and she has been from the moment she stepped on campus,” Lady Vols’ head coach Alison Ojeda said in a UT press release. “What makes me so excited about her receiving SEC Player of the Week honors is that she has worked so hard for so long on her on-court skills. When you work as hard as Daria does, you gain a sense of belief in yourself and this award is a great tangible benchmark of all that work she has put in.”
