University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL TENNIS TO CONCLUDE SPRING BREAK AT FIU
March 21, 2002 | Women's Tennis
March 21, 2002
MIAMI, Fla.
Over the past week, the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis team has been in Miami, Fla. to training over its spring break this week. The trip will conclude on Saturday with a noon match at No. 36 Florida International (12-3).
Tennessee enters the match with a new ranking of No. 9 in the latest Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Team Rankings, looking to improve upon a 14-4 record. Last week, UT captured a pair of dominant Southeastern Conference wins, dropping just one point in its victories over Louisiana State and Arkansas.
"It has been great for the team to practice outdoors every day," co-head coach Sonia Hahn-Patrick said. "I think the team is slowly getting back to full strength. We still have some question marks in the lineup, but for the most part, we have found alternatives to get us through."
Co-coaches Mike Patrick and Hahn-Patrick's team has been hampered by injuries throughout the season. Freshman Majen Immink, senior Kim Gates and freshman Breanna Kray all missed time early. Gates returned to the lineup in late Feb., while Immink came back in time for the LSU and Arkansas. Kray started practicing with the team again a week ago and may see action in doubles play on Saturday. Additionally, senior Alison Ojeda missed both matches last week with a sore back and is day-to-day this week. Ojeda is currently rated No. 14 in the Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Singles Rankings.
Vilmarie Castellvi, Agnes Wiski and Crystal Cleveland have anchored the team through adversity. The trio has played wherever the team needed them as Castellvi has split time between the No. 1 and 2 slots, while Wiski has ran the gamut from No. 2 to No. 4 and Cleveland has been solid at No. 4, 5 and 6. Combined, the trio has amassed a 37-4 record in dual matches. Wiski is just one win away from her 100th career victory and Castellvi is ranked No. 9 in the Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Singles Rankings. "We have really had some players step up for us," Patrick said. "The team has worked through a lot of adversity so far. Hopefully, they can continue down the stretch."
Florida International and Tennessee have never met on the tennis court before. The Golden Panthers enter the match with a 12-3 record, which includes triumphs over five ranked opponents, including South Alabama, Mississippi State, Southern Methodist, Michigan State and Florida State. Saturday's match marks the Lady Vols' last non-conference tilt of the regular season. Tennessee will return to Knoxville to host SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss. on March 29 and 31.
