Sooners Comeback Falls Short against No. 8 Tennessee

Sunday, March 16

Norman, Okla.

1 PM

University of Oklahoma

Tennessee

Sooners Comeback Falls Short against No. 8 Tennessee

March 16, 2025 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – The 12th-ranked Oklahoma women's tennis team pushed No. 8 Tennessee to the limit Sunday afternoon but fell 4-3 at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

Competing before its largest crowd on the newly renovated outdoor courts, Oklahoma (11-4, 4-3 SEC) dropped the doubles point to start the match. Finishing first, UT's No. 52 Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso defeated Salakthip Ounmuang and Chloé Noël (6-3) on court two. Following closely behind, Julia Garcia Ruiz and Alina Shcherbinina fell (6-3) to Elza Tomase and Maeve Thornton at the top court, securing the opening point for the Lady Vols.

When play came to a halt, OU's Ava Catanzarite and Gloriana Nahum held a 5-3 advantage over Conley Raidt and Saray Yli-Piipari on court three. Despite no result, the duo remains undefeated at 3-0 in dual play.

Catanzarite notched her second straight-set victory of the weekend over Thornton (6-2, 6-1) on court five to get the Sooners on the board.

On court six, No. 98 Nahum extended her winning streak to five matches with a 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-2 victory over Raidt. The SEC Co-Freshman of the Week outscored her opponents 30-18 over the weekend.

No. 34 Shcherbinina kept the match alive with a clutch third-set tiebreak victory, defeating No. 8 Tomase 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) on the top court. It's the highest ranked win of the season for the senior out of Moscow, Russia.

At No. 2 singles, No. 17 Garcia Ruiz fell to No. 36 Aulia 6-4, 6-7 (6), 7-5. On court three, Ounmuang was defeated by No. 103 Britez Risso 6-3, 7-6 (4), while No. 74 Emma Staker suffered a 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 loss to Francesca Mattioli on court four.

The Sooners will continue conference action on the road against No. 25 South Carolina on Friday, March 21. First serve against the Gamecocks is set for 4 p.m. CT at the Carolina Tennis Center.

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RESULTS

#12 Oklahoma 3, #8 Tennessee 4

Singles competition

1. #34 Alina Shcherbinina (OU) def. #8 Elza Tomase (TENN) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
2. #36 Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. #17 Julia Garcia Ruiz (OU) 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 7-5
3. #103 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Salakthip Ounmuang (OU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Francesca Mattioli (TENN) def. #74 Emma Staker (OU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Ava Catanzarite (OU) def. Maeve Thornton (TENN) 6-2, 6-1
6. #98 Gloriana Nahum (OU) def. Conley Raidt (TENN) 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Elza Tomase/Maeve Thornton (TENN) def. Alina Shcherbinina/Julia Garcia Ruiz (OU) 6-3
2. #52 Catherine Aulia/Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Salakthip Ounmuang/Chloe Noel (OU) 6-3
3. Ava Catanzarite/Gloriana Nahum (OU) vs. Conley Raidt/Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) 5-3, unfinished

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,3,6,4,1,2)