Elon, N.C. – The Elon University women's tennis team heads to Knoxville to face No. 10 Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 4 p.m. The Phoenix is making history after winning its first-ever CAA championship.
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THE ROAD TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Phoenix entered the CAA tournament as the No. 1 seed and received a bye to the quarterfinals. The Phoenix then took on No. 4 College of Charleston in the semi-finals, winning 4-0 to advance to the finals for only the second time in program history. The Phoenix then faced the three-time defending CAA champions and No. 2 seed, William & Mary, to compete for the title.
In an intense nail biter match, the Phoenix pulled out on top. Elon won 4-2 to achieve their first-ever CAA championship, breaking William & Mary's three-year streak of championships.
ABOUT THE PHOENIX
The Phoenix finished the regular season 17-5 with a six-match win streak and a perfect 4-0 record in conference play. The roster includes two freshmen (Heidi Bulger and Lisa Kranec), three sophomores (Simone Bergeron, Mariana Reding, and Ella Suk), two juniors (Helen Sarikulaya and Madison Cordisco), and one senior (Miray Konar). The team has found success in both singles and doubles, showcasing multiple pairings throughout the season.
One standout duo has been Bergeron and Reding, who play at the No. 1 doubles position. The pair finished the regular season 16-3 with a ten-match win streak and earned CAA Doubles Team of the Week honors in the season's opening week. Overall, the team holds a regular season doubles record of 43-19.
Elon's momentum carries over into singles as well, with several matches coming down to a decisive final court. Bulger clinched key wins against South Carolina State and Liberty, while Reding secured the team's 17th win over William & Mary.
Cordisco and Kranec both finished 16-3 in singles in the regular season, with Cordisco and Reding ending the season on six-match win streaks and Bulger on a ten-match streak. The team's overall singles record stands at 92-32 for the regular season.
The foundation of Elon's success is Head Coach Elizabeth Anderson and Assistant Coach Ashe Ray. Anderson, in her 21st season, has led the program to over 300 career wins and 18 consecutive winning seasons. She is set to complete her 19th consecutive winning season in 2025.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS
Ranked 10th, the Lady Vols earned an NCAA regional hosting spot for the third year in a row. With a record of 17-7, going 10-5 in the SEC, the Volunteers head into the tournament after a 4-0 loss to No. 2 University of Georgia in the SEC Championship.
The Volunteers and the Phoenix shared two opponents this season: Wake Forest and East Carolina. The Vols beat Wake Forest 4-3 and ECU 4-0, while the Phoenix lost 7-0 to Wake Forest but won 4-3 against ECU.
The Vols are coached by Alison Ojeda, who is in her ninth year as head coach of the program. Ojeda has led the team to the NCAA Championships every year since her tenure began. Ojeda is assisted by Matias Marin and Elizabeth Scotty.
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