University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Tennis Duo Ranked Ninth in Preseason Poll
September 15, 2000 | Women's Tennis
Ojeda jumps nine spots from last ranking in singles play
Five University of Tennessee women's tennis players represent co-head coaches Mike Patrick and Sonia Hahn-Patrick's squad in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's preseason rankings. Three received singles recognition, while two doubles pairings made the list.
The doubles team of junior Alison Ojeda (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur) and sophomore Vilmarie Castellvi (Guaynabo, P.R./Academia San Jose Villa Caparra) highlight the UT rankings. The pair is ranked No. 9, improving on its No. 22 ranking at the end of last season. Castellvi and Ojeda ended a successful 1999-2000 campaign on May 22 at the NCAA Championships with a 7-5, 6-3, setback to the Georgia tandem of Esther Knox and Aarthi Venkatesan in the 32-team doubles draw. Ojeda and Castellvi earned second team All-SEC accolades at the top doubles position with a 6-2 league mark this year. On the season, the UT pair went 13-11 in doubles competition.
Ojeda improved on her singles ranking, jumping from No. 38 to No. 22. In singles competition, Ojeda dropped a 6-4, 6-1, decision to 30th-rated Jessica Lehnhoff of the University of Florida in the singles draw of the NCAA Championships on May 22. For the dual season, Ojeda posted a 22-21 singles mark, including wins over nine ranked opponents.
Castellvi is one of eight players tied at the No. 100 spot. She went 17-24 in singles action last season. Junior Agnes Wiski (Flushing, N.Y./Benjamin Cardozo) is ranked ahead of her at No. 93. Wiski was 19-23 in singles play in 1999-2000.
The Orange and White's duo of sophomore Crystal Cleveland (Delray Beach, Fla./Westminster Academy) and junior Kim Gates (Grandville, Mich./ESI International Academy) is ranked No. 47. This season will mark the first outing for the tandem. Gates joined the Lady Vols this fall, transferring from the University of Texas.
