University of Tennessee
Alabama
LADY VOLS ADVANCE TO SIXTH STRAIGHT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
May 11, 2002 | Women's Tennis
May 11, 2002
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis team captured a 4-0 win over Alabama on Saturday at the UT Varsity Courts in an NCAA Regional final match-up. The triumph gives the Lady Vols their sixth consecutive ticket into the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament. However, Tennessee has never advanced past this round.
"We are really happy to be going to Stanford," co-head coach Mike Patrick said after the match. "After all the injuries and setbacks this season, the team has really started to come together at the right time."
Three seniors led the way for co-head coaches Mike Patrick and Sonia Hahn-Patrick as Kim Gates, Alison Ojeda and Agnes Wiski all took to the Tennessee courts for a final time in the Orange and White. Gates and Ojeda delivered the clinching doubles match with an 8-4 triumph over Selia Mathew and Jenny Ketchum. Junior Crystal Cleveland and freshman Breanna Kray got the Lady Vols off to a good start by dealing Becca Baum and Stefanie Leung an 8-3 setback on court three.
Needing to capture three out of the six singles matches to make it to the next round, UT's seniors took control. Gates struck first, taking a 6-2, 6-2 decision from Millie Begovic at the No. 3 slot. Wiski was next, as she recorded her second straight singles win with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Sophie Cremers. Ojeda sealed the Lady Vols fate with her 100th career victory as a Lady Vol. The San Antonio, Texas, native downed Ketchum, 6-2, 6-1, on court two to become just the sixth Lady Vol to achieve that milestone. She is just one doubles victory away from the same mark in doubles.
"Tonight our seniors really got it done," Patrick said. "With the up and down nature of our season, these guys took nothing for granted and fought all weekend."
Tennessee, now 19-9, will head to Palo Alto, Calif. for a round of 16 meeting with the winner of the regional final between Auburn and Vanderbilt on Thursday. Vandy and Auburn will play at noon on Sunday in Nashville to determine UT's opponent. The Lady Vols downed Auburn, 4-3, and fell at Vanderbilt, 4-3, in the regular season. The 2002 NCAA Women's Tennis Team Championships will take place from May 16-19 at the Taube Family Tennis Center on the campus of Stanford University.
| Agate Results | ||
| SINGLES | ||
| 1. | Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) vs. Selia Mathew (UA) | 7-5, 2-1 suspended |
| 2. | Alison Ojeda (UT) def Jenny Ketchum (UA) | 6-2, 6-1 |
| 3. | Kim Gates (UT) def Millie Begovic (UA) | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 4. | Agnes Wiski (UT) def Sophie Cremers (UA) | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 5. | Crystal Cleveland (UT) vs. Weyli Chang (UA) | 6-7, 2-3 suspended |
| 6. | Ashley Robards (UT) vs. Rebecca Baum (UA) | 4-6, 1-1 suspended |
| DOUBLES | ||
| 1. | Begovic/Chang (UA) def. Castellvi/Wiski (UT) | 8-5 |
| 2. | Gates/Ojeda (UT) def. Mathew/Ketchum (UA) | 8-4* |
| 3. | Cleveland/Kray (UT) def. Baum/Leung (UA) | 8-3 |
