Everything Orange
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Everything Orange
Leyla Britez Risso
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This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with senior tennis standout Leyla Britez Risso for a look into her journey through Rocky Top. Leyla reflects on stepping into her senior season and how fast her time at Tennessee has gone, from looking up to upperclassmen to now leading the team alongside her longtime doubles partner, Cat.
She dives into this year’s squad, what makes the group special, and what it is like competing in the stacked SEC as the Lady Vols push through a tough stretch of the season. Leyla also opens up about her personal success, an undefeated start and top 20 national ranking, and what has been clicking for her on the court.
From her growth over the past four years to the impact of Coach Ojeda and the program’s culture, Leyla reflects on what it means to wear the Tennessee jersey. From Paraguay to Knoxville, her story is all about leadership, consistency, and leaving her mark.
I'm far away from home, but like to be honest, Dennessee has always feel like home. And that's mostly because of uh my teammates and my coach. But like having those relationships just like um does feel like everything's easier.
SPEAKER_00Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast. And Spring Sports are now rolling into SEC conference play. And if you're not paying attention to what is happening over at Barksdale Stadium with our women's tennis team, you are missing out on some extremely competitive tennis matches. What Coach Ojeda has done with this team over the past three seasons in particular has been one of the most remarkable stretches in program history. And in particular, there is one senior on this team who has been with her along for the entire journey and is having a standout season on court three. So please welcome to the Everything Orange podcast, Layla Britz Rizzo. Layla Britez Rizzo, welcome to the Everything Orange podcast.
SPEAKER_01Thank you so much for having me.
SPEAKER_00I'm so excited to have you on. We'll talk all things women's tennis here shortly, but I want to first get to know you a little bit more off the court. We'll start with a couple of questions. We'll see if we can get them done in 60 seconds. That's the goal, but it never usually happens. So, first, what is your go-to pump up song before a match?
SPEAKER_01Um, Thunder Lighting, uh Bad Bunny.
SPEAKER_00Okay, great. I bet you love the Super Bowl this year, too. It was great.
unknownI love it.
SPEAKER_00If you weren't playing tennis, what sport would you want to try?
SPEAKER_01Volleyball.
SPEAKER_00That was easy to be. I've always known that.
SPEAKER_01I'll be alive.
SPEAKER_00Oh, period. Fantastic. Did you grow up playing volleyball? No, but like if you had a chance, that's what you would go back and try. Yes. Love that. Are you a coffee or energy drink gal before a match? Which do you prefer?
SPEAKER_01For sure, coffee. Okay. Always. What's your order? Regular. Before a match is like actually before a match, it's usually um oatmeal latte, so my stomach doesn't get like upset, but I usually just get a regular latte with vanilla, maybe.
SPEAKER_00What's one word your teammates would use to describe you? Competitive. Okay, great. Who was your tennis idol growing up?
SPEAKER_01Uh Maria Sharapua.
SPEAKER_00I think icon. What's one hidden talent people on the team might not know about you?
SPEAKER_01I feel like they know this by now, but I can move my ears.
SPEAKER_00So, like, okay.
SPEAKER_01Wait, let me focus.
SPEAKER_00Okay, okay, lock in. Oh my god. Are they moving? Yes, I see it. I'm moving. Oh my gosh! How did she learn you could do that?
SPEAKER_01I have no idea. I feel like I've always known how to do it, but like, yeah. I think my dad can do it too, actually.
SPEAKER_00Friends in the family. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to go to?
SPEAKER_01Oh. I feel like Switzerland. Um, I've never been there and it's like, it looks so beautiful.
SPEAKER_00It does. And the Alps too, just would love to do that. It's amazing. Yeah. Yep. What's your favorite thing to do on an off day?
SPEAKER_01Honestly, it's just like hang out with my roommates, um, talk to them, like watch movies. We watch a lot of movies. Um, we go get dinner a lot, so it really depends. But I like to stay in the apartment, just hang out.
SPEAKER_00Just chill, relax, downtime. Do you prefer playing singles or doubles and why?
SPEAKER_01I actually hate that question. But because I love both, okay, you know? And they're I feel like they're so different.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so tell me what you love the most about each one of them that differs for you.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so first of all, in doubles, like, of course, you have a partner, and it's like it makes everything like better, like because you have your partner right there, and especially if you have a good relationship with your partner, that's like way better. But at the same time, um, when you play doubles, it's like when I miss, oh, I miss, uh, I'm sorry, you know, like I'm sorry that I missed. Like, it's like our responsibility. Yes. But when it's in single, it's just like my responsibility. So it's like less pressure. Okay. So, but at the same time, you don't have that moral support that you have in doubles. So I would I would say that's a big difference.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there's that pro and con depending on each one. But I love them both.
SPEAKER_01I love and they're so different in college, especially because doubles is just one set. Yes. And it's like this. Right. It's so fast.
SPEAKER_00You have to be on from start to finish because there's not as many opportunities.
SPEAKER_01It can literally just be like 30 minutes to an hour, but a singles match, it could be like three hours and a half. So it's like a marathon.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Yes, exactly. The mental like preparation for both is different as well as it's very different, yeah. Okay, last question. What's been your favorite moment wearing the Tennessee jersey so far?
SPEAKER_01I would say just um when we beat Virginia last year, um, it was great. Like that match was intense from us. Like we were just like from the start, we were just like, we're gonna beat this team like this, and we did. Uh-huh. And like the doubles was so fun because um there was a lot of Tennessee fans actually at Virginia, and but the Virginia fans were like super loud as well. So the doubles like match was really intense, and I loved it. And we got the doubles point. And then when we played, um, I was actually the only one that was losing. I went, I wasn't losing, but I just lost the first set. Okay. Everyone, like, I see around, like coach always says, like, no scoreboard looking, but like everyone was winning. So I'm like, yay! But it was like a battle, like Matt, my core was a battle, and then I see that everyone is winning. I'm like, yay! And then Elsa clinched, and it was like so cute that Elsa clinched, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes, that's gotta be such a great feeling.
SPEAKER_01I know.
SPEAKER_00I love that you're here for the podcast today. This also isn't your first time being in the podcast studio because you were a little cheerleader when Kat was here last season for the podcast. So it was just a matter of time before we got even here, which is so crazy that you're now in your senior season. I know. I mean, girl, does it feel like time has just flown by since you got here? And like now we're here. Spring of your senior season.
SPEAKER_01It's like scary to think about it. Like, it's been so quick. I mean, it's been a blast. Like, my four years have been like, I love to be here every like moment, but it's gone so fast.
SPEAKER_00I feel like looking back too over the past three years, you've had some incredible leaders on this team that you've been able to look up to. Just name a couple. You had Daria, Sophia, Esther, Lauren, Elsa, like you had such a great group of women to have as mentors as you went throughout your career here. When you look back on those relationships, what stands out to you the most about having such empowering women on these teams?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, like, I'm super grateful to have those like teammates because like they were great. And I feel like each one of them has um like their own personality. Like they're those that you mentioned, they're both like everyone is so different from each other. So I feel like that's been helpful to see how each one of them just like has a different experience and takes like tennis differently. So I feel like just learning from each other is just like been great.
SPEAKER_00Now, this season it's you and Kat, two of the most experienced leaders in this Tennessee program, having been here all four of your years. What's it been like establishing a relationship with her and having her to lean on these past four years?
SPEAKER_01I mean, it's been great. Like Kat, it's one of my greatest friends, like here. Um like I love her, like we have a really close relationship. And I feel like um, I mean, we're both seniors, but at the same time, like I got here like just one semester after her because I got in the spring. So I've always like looked up to her because she's like she's always been such a hard worker, such like she's so disciplined. So I've always like looked to her like like a big sister, even though like we're the same age. But still, like, yeah, it's been a blast to like share this four years with her.
SPEAKER_00She's also like your bestie on the team. Yeah, your roommates, like you do everything together. To have somebody that knows you as well as I'm sure she does, also being so far away from home, new country, like new environment. What what has it meant to almost feel like a familial connection with her?
SPEAKER_01I mean, it's awesome. Like, as you meant, I as you said, um, like I'm far away from home, but like to be honest, Tennessee has always feel like home. And that's mostly because of uh my teammates and my coach. But like having those relationships just like um does feel like everything's easier. Right.
SPEAKER_00You don't feel as alone in this whole journey with not at all. Those people beside you. Talking about this team as a whole, though, it's pretty older in comparison to previous Tennessee teams. It's composed of seven returners, three seniors, and three freshmen. What overall is the biggest thing that stands out to you about this group?
SPEAKER_01I feel like since we're we are like, we have a lot of returners, we have like me cat that our seniors, I feel like we just understand now how um the Tennessee Women's Tennessee program is all about. Like we know how we want to go out and practice, like we know what we need to do, like on a match day to like win, like we are like, we just know how it works now. So it helps, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yes, because the culture, like you understand it, you can now uh give out that energy to the younger girls so that they can understand it. Um, it's more cohesive because this is not a new territory for everybody involved. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Uh Tennessee signed Katrina Scott to the roster ahead of dual season. 20-year-old American player, sorry, 21-year-old American player, currently ranked as a top 300 singles player in the world and is among the highest rated tennis player to ever commit to play college tennis. Pretty impressive resume. What's it been like so far these past couple of months playing alongside her, learning alongside her, and having her as a great addition to the squad?
SPEAKER_01I mean, she's awesome. She's like so funny. Like, she's so funny. And having her like in practice, she works so hard. Um, she doesn't have in class, like in person class, so she's always on the tennis court basically. And that like seeing that how hard she wants to work and how hard she wants to win, it's like so special. And like seeing her compete for the first time, it was really fun as well. And like, I mean, she's really talented, so like having her in practice, it like help us all to like grow together.
SPEAKER_00Right, because obviously the ultimate goal one day is to go pro, and like here she is, a pro in her own right, playing at the college level, and you guys can see firsthand like what it takes for somebody of that level.
SPEAKER_01And I feel like um, like we're learning a lot from her, but she's also learning how to be a college tennis player, which is like really different from being a professional tennis player. Like the pro level is like really lonely, I would say. So having like like a lot of girls around her all the time is like new to her, but like she's learning fast and she's like great.
SPEAKER_00Right. The sisterhood element is very different from being on tour, being a pro, um, and and having something bigger to play for than just yourself, which I'm sure is like a fun new experience for her that she's getting to out of all of this. I also have to hype you up real quick, Layla. You're currently the number 18 singles player in the nation and started off the 2026 season undefeated, going 13-0 and 10-0 in the dual season. What do you think, if you can pinpoint like one thing, what do you think has been the biggest um part of your game that has led you to so much success?
SPEAKER_01I don't know if I can say one thing, but at least, like, first of all, it also starts with hard work. Like, I feel like I've done a lot of like reps out there. Like, I've really tried to focus. Like, every time I play a match, I've always watched myself on film. Like, doesn't matter if the coaches ask me or not, because like I want to see even like win or lose, I still watch it because I want to see how I like how can I be better after this match. But also I would say that I just love playing tennis. Like that's I feel like that's what helps me a lot because I just love being out there and competing and just like having fun. But like sometimes when you lose, it's not fun. But like just being there and competing. And also, like, I would say confidence is something that has helped me a lot. Um I feel like sometimes when things are not working out, um, it's hard to have that. But like the fact that you still have to work and show show up every day to do the work, um, that gives you confidence, you know?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, and being in your fourth year now, like you're more confident than ever, you know, being in this role that you are today. So I want to have a little fun with you, a blast from the past, looking over the past three years and the success that you've seen, this team has seen, because it's truly remarkable looking at the run that you've been on and the team's been on since you got here on Rocky Top. So in 2023, your freshman year, Tennessee went unbeaten at home. Coach Ojeda was named SEC co-head coach of the year, and the team made it to the NCAA round of 16 in the postseason. What do you remember the most and what stands out to you the most about your first year here?
SPEAKER_01I feel like I was actually talking about this with CAD the other day. Um, we we saw and we looked back and we said, wow, we we literally just lost two matches in season. And like I remember like watching and everyone was winning, and I thought, oh, this is normal. Like everyone wins, like because at the time I was like not playing a lot, but so I watched all of my teammates compete and I was like, wow, like they're really good, and you know, and it's crazy to see like undefeated at home. Like, I feel like freshman Layla would like, oh, this is like normal.
SPEAKER_00You're like, oh, we just do this all the time.
unknownYeah, totally normal.
SPEAKER_01But it was like amazing, and I had so like my teammates were great, so yeah.
SPEAKER_00Your sophomore season, 2024, was one of the most monumental years for the program, the highest number of victories in the OHEDA era at that time with 22, and you earned a final four finish for the only the second time in the program's history. What was it like to cap off the season with the run that y'all had in the postseason?
SPEAKER_01I mean, it was amazing. That season was incredible. Um, I feel like that team was really special. Like we all were very different, as I mentioned before, but like competing together and just like we just wanted the best for our like for each other. So it's like once we get to the match, like we just wanted to win so bad. We're so competitive. So it's like it was honestly like amazing. That season was amazing, and like when we beat the number one team, I was like, oh my god, like this is but we knew we were good, you know? It's not like it was a shock for us, right? Because we we knew we were good, but it was just like that matter of time, just just like yeah, all the pieces were falling into place that year for you all.
SPEAKER_00And I was so fortunate to have a front row seat too, going with you guys to Oklahoma State for the postseason run. And the like, I wish everyone could have felt the energy, the emotions that team experienced winning in the Elite Eight and making it to the final four because it was like it was just magical. The whole thing was just so magical.
SPEAKER_01I know, I know. It was like it was like we were dreaming. It was it was amazing, it was incredible.
SPEAKER_00Then 2025, your junior year, the team achieved 10 SEC victories for the second time under Coach Ojeda, back to back to back seasons of 20 plus victories and an elite eight finish. What did what what out of that season, what was the biggest lesson maybe that you walked away with, that the team walked away with, now that being your third season, third year under your belt?
SPEAKER_01I think um just like perseverance perseverance.
SPEAKER_00Um perseverance.
SPEAKER_01Perseverance, yes, thank you. Yes, because um I feel like sometimes we were struggling to like um get to four points, you know, like everyone was trying their best, but like sometimes it was just like one player was doing this and the other player was doing that. So we were trying to like figure out how to do it all together. And once we got it, it was just like again, like trying to pull the pieces basically.
SPEAKER_00Before we get into this season, though, because I have some questions about it, like just from your perspective, what stands out to you the most about so far the season that has unfolded where we're at right now?
SPEAKER_01The season?
SPEAKER_00Currently, 2026. Okay. Yeah, because we can't, I guess we can't be like fully reflective on the season yet. Yeah. Just right now, like where you are in the season. What stands out to you the most?
SPEAKER_01I think just like the hard work that we put in it, like every day in practice. Um, we're trying to be really intentional in what we do because like we have great um opponents, like all of the SEC is like super tough. So every every match that we play is super hard. So we know we have to be like a hundred percent focused from the start. So by that being said, like focus in in practice of what we need to do in those matches is like super important, I would say.
SPEAKER_00Yes, because now that we are in the 2026 women's tennis regular season, SEC season that is, currently the team sits at eight and four in conference play. When you look at how this team has competed so far in SEC play, what do you think has been the biggest strength of this group? Because we'll get into it, but for those that don't know at the moment, like the SEC is a gauntlet for you all. So, what is it that you think has been the biggest strength for this team?
SPEAKER_01Um, I think it is like just having fun out there competing. Um, I feel like all of us would just love to be out there. And but at the same time, like we are really competitive. Like we just we want to win so bad, you know? So I feel like that competitiveness helps us a lot, I would say.
SPEAKER_00So this conference, like I mentioned, is stacked. It's unbelievable. I want to give the context. The Tennessee Lady volunteers are ranked 18th in the country right now. Currently, there are five SEC teams in the top 10. And then if we zoom out, overall there are 10 in the top 25. How does that, how do you use that to your benefit? Being able to play all of these top elite competitors now before you face them later on in the postseason?
SPEAKER_01I mean, uh me personally, I love it. Like, I love how competitive the SECs is right now because like it's just means that every time we play whatever teammate is, it's on the other side, they're gonna be good. They're gonna, it's not only they're good, it's like they try their best, you know. So that's what we want them to like show their best so we can also perform and get better every time that we step on the court.
SPEAKER_00It doesn't get any easier for this group. I mean, Friday, when this podcast comes out, you guys are playing the number five ranked Texas AM team at home. And then five of your next seven are top 25 matchups before we get into tournament play. What is the mindset of this team as you go throughout this really competitive, tough stretch, back half stretch of the regular season?
SPEAKER_01I mean, I feel like we're just all just very excited to get back on court because we just had um two tough losses this um back like this past week. So I feel like that tends us to get more excited to go on court and just like because we knew that these matches somehow we could beat them for sure. And we know how we can do some things better. So like just get in again on court and compete as hard as we can.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, just adds like fuel to your fire of like put us back out there. We are ready to get back.
SPEAKER_01We're ready now, like we're ready to, yeah, we're ready now.
SPEAKER_00And I have to point out, and Aiden will find this funny, that he wasn't in town last week for spring rape for this group. So I'm like, maybe Loki it's the curse of like Aiden. Like once he gets him back on the course in some games, maybe you never know what can happen. Maybe it is he's gonna eat that up.
SPEAKER_01It's your fault, Aiden.
SPEAKER_00You're to blame, Aiden. Uh, let's talk now about your head coach, Alison Ojeda, for a second and the icon that she is, because I absolutely adore her. What makes Coach Oheda such a special leader for this group and for the past four years that you've been here on Rocky Top?
SPEAKER_01I mean, she's just awesome. Like, um, she's been like literally like a second mom to me, to be honest. Like, but at the same time, she is such a great leader. Um I feel like She has so much knowledge that she shares to everyone. And she genuinely like cares to their players as a person, you know, not just like she doesn't see us just as a tennis player. She sees us a true person, you know, and that is so valuable. I feel like not a lot of like um coaches are that. So I feel very lucky to have her as a mentor this past four years. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. And she's also created the standard of you're not just going to excel on the court, but you're also going to excel in the things that are important to you off the court as well, whether that be academics, community service, whatever it is. She wants you to be a well-rounded human being through your time in the program and then once you leave as well. What kind of values do you you feel like she really emphasizes to the team, um, both as a person and a player?
SPEAKER_01I feel like she's always to just to work hard. Like it doesn't matter. Like, I feel like a lot of people can see her as like someone like very chill, you know, like just like gentlehearted or whatever, but like, God forbid, you don't try out in the tennis, like core. Like, you have to try. You have to try your best a hundred percent every time. And I feel like that's something that she like has created as a culture among us because it's like um all of us want to be like that, you know. We want to make her proud, like by doing that. So, but yeah, she's just amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I love her. You mentioned she's a mentor, she's a coach, she's a second mom, she's probably, you know, support system therapist, like all the things in between. I mean, she's and then you think off the court, like she's a wife and a mother. I mean, she coached in the final four, what, eight months pregnant? And you wouldn't have known the way she was running from courts, you know, left and right in the middle in between. She does it all, it feels like sometimes.
SPEAKER_01She does.
SPEAKER_00To you, what's it like to have that role model and and see that day in and day out?
SPEAKER_01I mean, uh, to to be honest, I don't know how she does everything. I don't know how she's like so great like that. I don't know like how she's that good, you know? It like it means a lot to s to see her like every day in practice, like she she wants us to get better. And not only in as I mentioned, in the tennis court, but like outside, like as a person, you know. So it's like, wow, like you're just amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. To think too being from Paraguay, South America, come all the way here to Knoxville, Tennessee. What has this place meant to you and being able to now call it a second home and just the memories, the relationships, the experiences that you've been able to create for yourself during your time here?
SPEAKER_01I mean, this past like four years have been amazing. Like I I have so many memories, and like I feel like this has been the best four years of my life, probably. And also I feel like it each year has been different. So, like from the other years, so it's like I've learned how to take it all together. But yeah, I mean, I've created so many relationships. Like I have my best friends literally here, like my relationship with my coaches, like with other athletes for sure. Like, it's just it's just been amazing. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And you represent the Lady Vault legacy too, being able to step out on the court in orange and blue, and I feel like now you're so connected to it because you understand like what's come before you and what you're creating for the generation to come after you. I mean, Coach Ojeda played here, she knows she instills that a lot into her teams and the culture of the program as well. What does that mean to you that when you leave here, you're gonna be an L VFL for life?
SPEAKER_01I mean, it's such an honor to be honest. Um, like when I was a freshman, I I had no idea like all the history that the Tennessee Lady Bulls have. And like once I started to learn more about it, it's like, wow, like I'm really just not playing. Like, just not for the school, but like for the Lady Bulls, you know, that means so much more, you know.
SPEAKER_00Well, we are so excited to see what this team does this year. I mean, every single year, it just seems like you you leave your mark on this program and how exciting that you've got an incredible team to make an incredible, you know, season full of great memories, wins, successes, all the things for your senior season as well. So we're so excited for you guys. Good luck the rest of the season into the postseason, and we cannot wait to see what you guys do.
SPEAKER_01Thank you so much. I'm very excited too. So thank you for having me. Go Little Balls. Yay!