University of Tennessee Athletics
PURDUE, ILLINOIS AWAIT LADY VOL TENNIS SQUAD THIS WEEKEND
January 30, 2003 | Women's Tennis
Jan. 30, 2003
Match Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
After starting the year 2-0 with wins over Middle Tennessee State and Michigan last weekend, the 11th-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team hopes to remain perfect this season when they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., and Urbana-Champaign, Ill., to face No. 52 Purdue and No. 45 Illinois. UT's showdown with the Boilermakers is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, while its contest with the Fighting Illini has a noon CT start time on Sunday, Feb. 2.
"Purdue and Illinois are always tough at home," said Tennessee Co-Head Coach Sonia Hahn-Patrick. "I feel good about the fact that our team is finally getting healthy and recovering from early season injuries."
Sophomore Ashley Robards, who was out of the Lady Vols' lineup last weekend with an injury to her right hand, is expected to play against Purdue and Illinois. Robards filled the No. 6 singles slot for most of last season and will most likely be inserted into the same position this year. She may also play doubles with senior Crystal Cleveland at the No. 3 hole. Cleveland's current partner is sophomore Majen Immink, who is being used strictly as a doubles player for the moment as she is coming back from surgery she underwent last fall.
Rookie Sabita Maharaj is doubtful for this weekend as she is still recovering from a foot injury. The last action the Gainesville, Fla., native saw was at the SEC Coaches Tournament last November. Maharaj should see playing time somewhere in the middle of the singles lineup and could potentially team up with junior Tammy Encina at No. 2 doubles. Encina's current partner is sophomore Breanna Kray. Maharaj and Encina entered the spring ranked No. 53.
Purdue is 2-0 thus far for the 2003 season, with consecutive shutouts over Butler and Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 18. Senior Melissa Iqbal is the Boilermakers' lone ranked contender in singles at No. 110. Purdue's duo of freshman Brittany Reitz and sophomore Lara Burgarello comprise the nation's 41st-rated tandem.
The Fighting Illini are off to a 2-2 start this year, posting victories over Florida Atlantic and Colorado. Illinois' two defeats were handed down by Miami (Fla.) and Oregon. Junior Jennifer McGaffigan leads the Fighting Illini and comes in ranked No. 41. Placing one notch below Encina and Maharaj in the doubles ratings are Illinois senior Eldina Fazlic and junior Eva Choe.
UT senior Vilmarie Castellvi leads the Lady Vols this season with a 17-3 singles record and a 9-1 mark in doubles with freshman Melissa Schaub. Castellvi is rated fourth in singles and 22nd in doubles. The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, native has not lost a match yet this spring with a 6-0 record, nor has she dropped one set to the opposition. She and Schaub are also undefeated in the 2003 campaign with a 5-0 slate.
Encina has proven to be a formidable force for the Orange and White at No. 2 singles so far with a 2-0 record. She won a three-setter in her first dual match with Jennifer Klaschka of Middle Tennessee State and then buried Michigan's Christine Nolan, 6-1, 6-0. She is unbeaten in doubles this year as well with Kray at the No. 2 slot.
The Lady Vols will head to Madison, Wis., the following week to compete in the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Feb. 6-9.
