Ashlee Brackett

Women's Tennis 5/2/2025 8:30:00 PM by Ashlee Brackett, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

Women’s Tennis Falls to No. 10 Tennessee in NCAA Tournament After Historic Season

Box Score KNOXVILLE, TN – The Elon University women's tennis team came up short against No. 10 Tennessee on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. After capturing the CAA Championship for the first time in program history, the Phoenix entered the tournament riding high, but ultimately fell 4-0 to the SEC powerhouse Lady Vols.

Elon finishes its season at 19-6, posting its best record since the 2012-13 campaign. Tennessee improved to 18-7 with the victory and advances to face Pepperdine in the next round.

THE RUNDOWN

The Lady Vols started strong, taking the doubles point to go up 1-0. Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso defeated Simone Bergeron and Mariana Reding 6-1 on Court 1.
On Court 2, Elza Tomase and Saray Yli-Piipari clinched the doubles point for Tennessee with a 6-2 win over Helen Sarikulaya and Lisa Kranec.
In singles play, Elon showed fight but couldn't break through as Tennessee completed the sweep.
Mariana Reding fell 6-0, 6-0, giving Tennessee a 2-0 advantage.
Madison Cordisco dropped her match 6-0, 6-1 to Yli-Piipari, pushing the lead to 3-0.
The clinching point came from Leyla Britez Risso, who defeated Helen Sarikulaya 6-1, 6-4.
Simone Bergeron, playing at No. 1, was locked in a back-and-forth battle in the first set, ultimately falling 8-6 in a tiebreaker. She trailed Elza Tomase 3-0 in the second set before the match was left unfinished.
Lisa Kranec dropped her first set 6-3 but was holding strong in the second, tied at 4-4 in the unfinished match.
On court four, Heidi Bulger fought hard after losing the first set 6-3 and trailed 4-2 in her unfinished match against Vanesa Suarez.

Tennessee 4, Elon 0
Doubles
No. 1 – Catherine Aulia / Leyla Britez Risso (Tenn.) def. Simone Bergeron / Mariana Reding (Elon) 6-1
No. 2 – Elza Tomase / Saray Yli-Piipari (Tenn.) def. Helen Sarikulaya / Lisa Kranec (Elon) 6-2
No. 3 – Heidi Bulger / Madison Cordisco (Elon) vs. Maeve Thornton / Vanesa Suarez (Tenn.) 3-4 unf.
Order of finish: 1, 2

Singles
No. 1 – Simone Bergeron (Elon) vs. Elza Tomase (Tenn.) 6-7 (6-8), 0-3 unf.
No. 2 – Catherine Aulia (Tenn.) def. Mariana Reding (Elon) 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 – Leyla Britez Risso (Tenn.) def. Helen Sarikulaya (Elon) 6-1, 6-4
No. 4 – Heidi Bulger (Elon) vs. Vanesa Suarez (Tenn.) 3-6, 2-4 unf.
No. 5 –Saray Yli-Piipari (Tenn.) def. Madison Cordisco (Elon) 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 – Lisa Kranec (Elon) vs. Maeve Thornton (Tenn.) 3-6, 4-4 unf.
Order of finish: 2, 5, 3

--ELON--

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Players Mentioned

Simone Bergeron: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Madison Cordisco: 5' 3"; Junior

Mariana Reding: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Helen Sarikulaya: 5' 3"; Junior

Heidi Bulger: 5' 5"; Freshman

Lisa Kranec: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Simone Bergeron
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Madison Cordisco
: 5' 3"; Junior

Mariana Reding
: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Helen Sarikulaya
: 5' 3"; Junior

Heidi Bulger
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Lisa Kranec
: 5' 7"; Freshman