University of Tennessee Athletics
What's The Racket? - Oct. 21
October 21, 2011 | Women's Tennis
Oct. 21, 2011
KNOXVILLE - Between playing in professional tournaments and earning her way to the elite stage of college tennis, senior Natalie Pluskota is racking up the frequent flyer miles.
Friday, she can add 1,621 miles to her total, as Tennessee's lone senior departs from the Lady Vols to play in the $25K Women's Challenger, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Pluskota earned a wildcard into the tournament's main singles draw, and will also compete in doubles with Florida junior Allie Will.
"I don't think I've done it since I've been in college," Pluskota said of playing on the USTA pro circuit in-season. "I do know there are girls that do it but I will say in a way it's not normal but there's a good handful that will do it."
Pluskota is taking full advantage of her opportunities after a successful summer on the circuit that saw her go from Atlanta, to El Paso, to the Bronx, to name a few.
The Newnan, Ga., native recorded her first professional title in July, a doubles championship with another Gator, Alexandra Cercone, at the Norman Wilkerson Memorial Tournament. Pluskota also helped defeat the No. 6-ranked doubles player in the world, Yaroslava Shvedova, at the Emblem Health Bronx Open.
"It' s just nice that Natalie is in a situation where she's about to get a WTA ranking, can put herself in a position to be able to play these pro tournaments and get a rank before she starts full-time next summer," co-head coach Sonia Hahn-Patrick said.
Upon returning to Knoxville, her stay will be brief. Pairing up with junior Kata Szekely at the Ohio Valley Regional this past week, the duo's doubles title earned them a spot in the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships (Nov. 3-6) in New York.
While most of the team will be off until its final fall competition at the MetLife Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic, Nov. 11-13, Pluskota is keeping her frequent flyer card ready.
"I think it's important for her to get a couple days (rest), but she's a pretty antsy kid as far as wanting to get back on the court," Hahn-Patrick said. "She loves tennis. For her to get back on the court, play and compete, that's her favorite place."
COMPLEMENTARY COUPLE
Pluskota and Szekely not only captured the USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional doubles title, they did it in dominating fashion. The combo didn't allow any of their first four opponents to score more than three points, and then won the best-of-three title match 6-3, 6-2.
When describing their combined success, each Lady Vol used the word "complement."
"I think we complement each other really well," Szekely said. "Nat is really good at the net. I try to set her up from the baseline so that really worked well. I tried to play aggressive too at the same time and I think that was a key point."
"Our games complement each other pretty well," Pluskota said. "I can work really well off of her serve and she can work really well off of mine. Our camaraderie on the court is really good and we get along so that helps."
The upperclassman pair will attempt to "complement" each other to continued success at the National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, Nov. 3-6.
DIFFERENT SITE, SAME MENTALITY
With the University of Tennessee hosting the men's USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional at the Goodfriend Tennis Center, the Lady Vols relocated this week's practice sessions to the Cherokee Country Club in West Knoxville.
Pluskota, sophomore Kayla McMurry and freshman Sarah Toti practiced Thursday morning, and the full team reunited Friday after recovering from the regional.
"You just have to be adaptable when we have to practice at other places, but it's just something that we do," Hahn-Patrick said. "We're just trying to get everybody back, focused with practice and ready to go."
After getting used to a routine at their home base, the Lady Vols enjoyed their experience at the venue.
"It's a nice change of scenery," Toti said. "The courts are a little different but you have to do what you have to do to get your practice in. We're not going to not practice because of the men's regional. We got a good hit in so I'm glad we got it done."
For McMurry, a Knoxville native, it was right at home.
"It's pretty nice," McMurry said. "I actually used to practice here when I played in Knoxville before I came to UT. It's pretty familiar, but it's a nice change of pace."
