KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee women’s tennis team plays at home for the first time this fall as Knoxville hosts the ITA Women’s South Sectional Championships, which open Thursday at Barksdale Stadium inside Goodfriend Tennis Center.
The sectional is the last chance for college players to qualify for the NCAA Individual Championships later this month. Knoxville is one of four host sites nationwide. Out of each sectional, six singles players and three doubles teams earn a trip to the national event.
Teams in this bracket come from three ITA regions, the Ohio Valley, the South and the Southeast. There are 32 players in the main singles draw and 16 teams in doubles, with entries based on earlier results in the ITA fall events.
Tennessee coach Alison Ojeda has four singles players and four doubles teams in the event and asked local fans to come out and watch. Sophomore Rinon Okuwaki got automatic entry after two main-draw singles wins at the ITA All-American Championships. Freshmen Lisa Kamigata and Alyson Shannon are both in the singles draw after strong showings at the Ohio Valley Regional, and Shannon will again pair with fellow freshman Sarah Mildren in doubles.
As host, Tennessee received a wildcard in each draw. Junior Francesca Mattioli takes the singles wildcard and teams with Auburn transfer Stefani Webb in doubles. It is the first college event of the season for both.
Visitors are in the mix too. Georgia Tech brings three players, with Seri Nayuki facing Vanderbilt’s Valeria Ray at 11 a.m. Thursday and Given Roach and Eleni Karantali paired against a Florida State doubles team.
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