Lady Vols’ Hard-Fought Battle Ends in 4-2 Loss to Texas A&M in NCAA Championship Quarterfinals
WACO, TX – In a thrilling showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the 10th-seeded Tennessee Lady Vols faced a formidable opponent in the #2 Texas A&M Aggies, ultimately falling short with a score of 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Team Championship. The intense match kept players battling for over four hours at the Hurd Tennis Center on Thursday evening.
Doubles Drama: Lady Vols Strike First
Despite a rocky start in the doubles competition, the Lady Vols showcased resilience in their quest for victory. After a 0-6 setback on court one, where the No. 30-ranked duo of Leyla Britez Risso and Catherine Aulia suffered a loss to Texas A&M’s Mary Stoiana and Mia Kupres, things began to turn around.
Maeve Thornton and Vanesa Suarez rallied to secure a 6-1 victory against Lucciana Perez and Nicole Khirin, while the No. 74-ranked pair of Saray Yli-Piipari and Elza Tomase clinched the doubles point with a hard-fought 6-4 win over Lexington Reed and Daria Smetannikov. This early lead brought the crowd to its feet and fueled hopes for an upset.
Singles Struggles: Finding Their Footing
Despite taking an early lead in doubles, the Lady Vols struggled to maintain momentum in singles play. Catherine Aulia, ranked No. 41, faced a tough challenge against Texas A&M’s No. 13 Nicole Khirin, losing 2-6, 2-6, which tied the match at 1-1.
The stakes continued to rise as No. 7 Elza Tomase fell to No. 1 Mary Stoiana with a 5-7, 2-6 score, putting Texas A&M ahead by one point. The tension escalated further when Saray Yli-Piipari engaged in a three-set thriller against Lexington Reed, only to drop the match 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, extending the Aggies’ lead to 3-1.
A Bright Spot: Suarez’s Standout Performance
In the midst of challenges, Vanesa Suarez emerged as the lone bright spot for the Lady Vols, delivering an impressive performance. She dug deep to fend off No. 51 Lucciana Perez with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, giving fans a glimmer of hope.
A Heartbreaking Conclusion
As the match reached its climax, No. 66 Leyla Britez Risso faced off against No. 67 Mia Kupres. After a valiant effort, Britez Risso ultimately fell 3-6, 6-7(6), 4-6, securing the match win for the Aggies and ending Tennessee’s championship dreams.
Match Highlights
Results Breakdown
Singles
- #1 Mary Stoiana (TAMU) def. #7 Elza Tomase (TENN): 7-5, 6-2
- #13 Nicole Khirin (TAMU) def. #41 Catherine Aulia (TENN): 6-2, 6-2
- #67 Mia Kupres (TAMU) def. #66 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN): 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
- Vanesa Suarez (TENN) def. #51 Lucciana Perez (TAMU): 6-3, 5-7, 7-5
- #109 Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) vs. Francesca Mattioli (TENN): Unfinished, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 3-2
- Lexington Reed (TAMU) def. Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN): 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Doubles
- Mia Kupres & Mary Stoiana (TAMU) def. #30 Catherine Aulia & Leyla Britez Risso (TENN): 6-0
- #74 Elza Tomase & Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) def. Lexington Reed & Daria Smetannikov (TAMU): 6-4
- Vanesa Suarez & Maeve Thornton (TENN) def. Nicole Khirin & Lucciana Perez (TAMU): 6-1
Conclusion: A Season to Remember
Although the Lady Vols’ run in the NCAA championship came to a heart-wrenching end, their determination and skill have shone throughout the season. As they reflect on this challenging yet proud moment, fans and players alike look ahead, ready to build on this experience for future successes.
For more insights into NCAA Women’s Tennis, visit the NCAA official website.
