Elza Tomase, a senior at the University of Tennessee, made history as the first Lady Volunteer to reach the singles championship match at the ITA All-American Championships. Unfortunately, she fell short in the title match, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Wisconsin’s Maria Sholokhova ¹. Tomase struggled to find her rhythm early, but made a valiant effort in the second set, rallying from a 5-1 deficit to win two games.
Throughout the tournament, Tomase showcased her impressive skills, securing seven singles wins, six of which were against ranked opponents. Her standout performance came against Vanderbilt’s No. 3, Celia-Belle Mohr, with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 triumph. Head coach Alison Ojeda praised Tomase, saying, “She has taken her experience from last year’s team success and applied it to her day-to-day training… Now she is showing everybody how good she is!”.
Despite the loss, Tomase’s advancement through the quarterfinals secured her an automatic qualification for the NCAA Individual Championships, set to take place from November 19-24 in Waco, Texas ¹. This is a remarkable achievement, demonstrating Tomase’s growth and dedication to her craft.
Tomase’s impressive run at the ITA All-American Championships is a testament to her hard work and talent. As the first Lady Volunteer to reach the singles championship match, she has set a new standard for her team. With her qualification for the NCAA Individual Championships, Tomase will have another opportunity to shine on the national stage.
