Racers End Season at Tennessee in NCAA Tournament

Saturday, May 4

Knoxville, TN

12 p.m.

Murray State

Tennessee

Photo by: Tennessee Athletic Media Relations

5/5/2024 7:38:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

The Racers fell to #16 Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Murray State women's tennis dropped their match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling short to ranked opponent Tennessee. This was the first NCAA Tournament appearance from the Racers since 2015.

Starting off the match in doubles play, the MVC All-Conference duo Emma Honore/Natalie Slezakova fell to #11 ITA Doubles ranked Eiza Tomase/Sofia Cabezas. Sarah Bureau and Annika Pschorr battled at the number two spot, but the Lady Vols clinched the doubles point with a win at the number three spot.

Heading into singles play, the Volunteers started out strong with earning two singles points at the number three and six spot. Freshman Valeria Chaikovskaia fought hard at the number one spot, taking on #14 ITA Singles ranked Cabezas. Chaikovskaia won the first set, 6-4, beginning the second set when Esther Adeshina clinched the match win for Tennessee at the fifth flight.

"We knew it was going to be tough at Tennessee but we gave it our all and I am very proud of our team for the way we competed and showed that we belong with the best teams in the nation," Coach Jorge Caetano said.

The Racers finished off the 2024 season with a 17-6 overall record, and went undefeated in the Missouri Valley Conference. They made history being the first sport at Murray State to win a MVC title, earning both the MVC Regular Season Championship title and the MVC Tournament title.

"What a season this was! I couldn't be happier to send off our graduating players with a championship ring! This group put in the work day in and day out this season and they made a commitment to sacrificing some personal goals for the needs of our team, and this is what was most special about this championship run. It was a huge team effort and I believe this season was a stepping stone for our program moving forward so we can continue to compete for championships in the strong MVC," Caetano said.

Murray State 0 x 4 Tennessee

Doubles

1. #11 Elza Tomase/Sofia Cabezas (TENN) def. Natalie Slezakova/Emma Honore (MUR) 6-2

2. Esther Adeshina/Alana Wolfberg (TENN) vs. Annika Pschorr/Sarah Bureau (MUR) 5-3, unfinished

3. Lauren Anzalotta/Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Marit Kreugel/Paola Campigotto (MUR) 6-1

Singles

1. #14 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) vs. Valeria Chaikovskaia (MUR) 4-6, 1-0, unfinished

2. Elza Tomase (TENN) vs. Sarah Bureau (MUR) 6-3, 4-3, unfinished

3. Alana Wolfberg (TENN) def. Emma Honore (MUR) 6-1, 6-0

4. Lauren Anzalotta (TENN) vs. Varya Alexeyeva (MUR) 6-2, 4-0, unfinished

5. Esther Adeshina (TENN) def. Marit Kreugel (MUR) 6-2, 6-1

6. Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Natalie Slezakova (MUR) 6-1, 6-2