University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Tennis Duo Castellvi And Ojeda Win USTA Doubles Event
July 29, 2001 | Women's Tennis
July 29, 2001
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis players Vilmarie Castellvi and Alison Ojeda took the long road but eventually won the USTA Fifth Third Bank Classic on Saturday at the University of Evansville. The pair has been playing in USTA satellite events this summer, Saturday's final marked the pair's first appearance in a USTA event championship match.
The Orange and White pair had to earn a berth into the main draw through a qualifying round. They opened qualifying play by defeating Colleen Cheng (Northwestern) and Cynthia Tow (Boston College) and followed that 8-3 victory with an 8-1 triumph over Ashley Robards, who will be a freshman on UT's squad next year, and her partner Amy Trefethan (Kentucky). In the finals of the qualifying draw, Castellvi and Ojeda got the better of professionals Whitney Jones and Georgia Rose, 8-1, to advance.
Castellvi and Ojeda upset the Australian pair of Susanne Filipp and Petra Russegger, 4-6, 6-1, 2-1(ret.), in the first round of the main draw to advance and meet fellow qualifier and SEC foes Carolina Mayorga and Lauren Rookledge of Kentucky in the quarterfinals. A 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 decision gave Castellvi and Ojeda the chance to meet the top-seeded pair of Stephanie Mabry and Aneta Soukup in the semifinals. The Orange and White duo dealt the favorites a straight set, 7-5, 6-4, setback and advanced to their first USTA event final. In the championship match, the pair faced South Africa's Anca Anastasiu and Lara Van Rooyen on Saturday. Castellvi and Ojeda again made quick work of their opponents, taking the match in a 6-2, 6-3 decision.
Castellvi and Ojeda will head to Harrisonburg, Va., this week for another tour event. Ojeda has drawn a wildcard entrance into the main draw of singles while Castellvi will be looking to enter through the qualifying round. In doubles, the pair is already entered in the main draw.
