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