No. 13 Aggies Down No. 16 Tennessee, Advance to NCAA Championship Final

Saturday, May 18

Stillwater, Okla.

6:30 PM

Texas A&M

Tennessee

May 19, 2024 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Cory Richardson, Athletics Communications

STILLWATER – The No. 13 Texas A&M women's tennis team punched its ticket to the NCAA Championship match for the second time in program history after downing No. 16 Tennessee Saturday at the Greenwood Tennis Center, 4-1

The Aggies (27-7) claimed their spot in the NCAA Tournament championship match with a commanding 4-1 victory over No. 16 Tennessee (22-8), capped off by a come-from-behind win from Nicole Khirin.

Texas A&M dominated the start of the match, as it secured a pair of quick wins to take the doubles point. Carson Branstine/Lucciana Perez struck first, dropping only one game on court 2 versus Esther Adeshina/Alana Wolfberg (6-1). No. 7 Mary Stoiana/Mia Kupres followed suit with a 6-2 victory on court 1, downing No. 11 Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase to clinch the early lead.

Carrying over the momentum into singles, No. 1 Stoiana doubled the advantage with a stellar showing on court 1 besting No. 14 Sofia Cabezas (6-1, 6-2).

Leaving the Maroon & White one point from victory was No. 88 Branstine, as the senior battled Elza Tomase on court 2. Branstine edged out a tight opening frame (7-5) and blew her opponent away in the second set (6-2) to extend the Aggies lead, 3-0.

The Lady Volunteers struck back with a point on their own court 6, but third-set heroics from No. 26 Khirin punched A&M's ticket to the tournament final as she outlasted Alana Wolfberg on court 3 (5-7, 6-0, 6-3) to win the match, 4-1.

No. 45 Kupres was leading her match on court 4, while Perez was tied in her match on court 5 before the overall result was decided.

COACH'S QUOTES
Head coach Mark Weaver on the team's mentality going into the match ...
"What an exciting match out there, there's nothing like playing a night match. So proud of the SEC for having three of the four teams in the semifinals. We really embraced the big stage well today and made some great improvements from the doubles yesterday. We really played decisive and aggressive to dictate doubles out there and that really kind of set the stage for the night. One of the qualities of Tennessee is that they fight really hard, so that was definitely one of the pre-match talks. You have to put them away.

"There's a lot at stake out there and it's a lot more than just playing tennis, it's also about handling the nerves, knowing you're going to the championship match if you can get across the finish line. We've played so many big matches this year and it's really helped prepare us for a match like this. I couldn't be prouder of this group. I'm excited to be playing tomorrow for the National Title. I've known all year that if we can get clicking at the right time that this is right where we're supposed to be."

Up Next
The Aggies will return to the court to take on No. 7 Georgia in the NCAA Championship match Sunday, May 19, at the Greenwood Tennis Center with first serve set for 6:30 p.m.

Match Results
Singles Results
(TAMU) No. 1 Mary Stoiana Def. (TENN) No. 14 Sofia Cabezas (6-1, 6-2)
(TAMU) No. 88 Carson Branstine Def. (TENN) Elza Tomase (7-5, 6-2)
(TAMU) No. 26 Nicole Khirin Def. (TENN) Alana Wolfberg (5-7, 6-0, 6-3)
(TAMU) No. 45 Mia Kupres - (TENN) Catherine Aulia (7-6(4), 5-6) unfinished
(TAMU) Lucciana Perez - (TENN) Lauren Anzalotta (4-6, 6-2, 2-2) unfinished
(TENN) Esther Adeshina Def. (TAMU) Jeanette Mireles (6-3, 6-4)

Double Results
(TAMU) No. 7 Mary Stoiana/Mia Kupres Def. (TENN) No. 11 Sofia Cabezas/Elza Tomase (6-2)
(TAMU) Carson Branstine/Lucciana Perez Def. (TENN) Esther Adeshina/Alana Wolfberg (6-1)
(TAMU) Nicole Khirin/Jeanette Mireles – (TENN) Lauren Anzalotta/Catherine Aulia (4-4) unfinshed

FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thman.com for more information on Texas A&M women's tennis. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women's tennis team on Facebook, Instagram, and on X by following @AggieWTEN.