Ghizela Schutte

Height:
5-5
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Cape Town, South Africa

MIKE PATRICK ON SCHUTTE: 'Ghizela has dealt with a lot of adversity in her career and, although she has had to overcome a lot, she has always been a great team player and very strong leader for us. Hopefully, it will all come together for her during her final season.' SENIOR (FALL 2007): Was 5-5 in singles play during the fall portion of her final season at Rocky Top...Also composed a 9-3 doubles record, including a 7-2 mark with freshman Rosalía Alda...The duo enters the 2008 spring campaign ranked as the No. 26 doubles pairing in the country...Opened the season on a strong note, joining forces with sophomore Connor Vogel to win two of three doubles contests at the St. Mary[apos]s Classic...Switched partners at the Furman Fall Classic two weeks later, teaming with Alda to claim the title in flight three...Also had success in singles play, winning the consolation bracket in the third flight...Closed out the fall season strong, as she and Alda won three of their four doubles contests at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic. JUNIOR (2006-07): Battled injuries for most of the spring campaign, but was still able to put together a 12-12 record, including a 4-6 mark from the No. 2 spot in the Lady Vols[apos] dual-match lineup...Also was one of UT[apos]s top doubles performers, going 16-11 on the year with four different partners...Schutte was primarily paired with Connor Vogel during the spring season, fashioning an 11-7 record with the rookie...The duo split time at all three positions but mostly played at the top spot where it went 3-4...Won six of her first 10 singles contests in the spring before being forced to sit out almost two months with a stress fracture in her right foot...Returned for the team[apos]s final two SEC Tournament matches and both NCAA Tournament contests...Earned mention on the SEC Community Service Team...Concluded the fall season with a 6-5 singles mark...Also was impressive in doubles play, putting together an 8-4 slate...At the St. Mary[apos]s Classic, Schutte and Samantha Orlin won consecutive matches to claim the flight three title...Combined with Vogel at the Furman Fall Classic to win another flight title, this time taking down Vanderbilt[apos]s Taka Bertrand and Catherine Newman, 9-8. SOPHOMORE (2005-06): Played at the four and five singles positions for the Lady Vols, earning a team-best 22-12 mark...Also paired up with Melissa Schaub at the No. 1 doubles position in 22 of the squad[apos]s 25 dual matches, putting together a 12-10 record...Overall, was 14-15 in doubles play on the year...Clinched UT[apos]s 4-3 victory over No. 11 Texas on March 15 with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 win over No. 125 Courtney Zauft...Also helped the team earn the doubles point in the contest, as she teamed with Schaub to rally from an 8-7 deficit and claim a 9-8 (7-3) victory over Mia Marovic and Zauft...The duo[apos]s most impressive win, however, was a dominating 8-1 victory over No. 55 Ilona Somers and Virginia Tomatis of Ole Miss...Finished the fall season with a 6-2 singles record, which, along with Bryce Marable[apos]s identical 6-2 mark, signified the best win-loss record in singles play...Compiled an overall doubles mark of 5-2...Took first place in singles flight four at the St. Mary[apos]s Classic, defeating Shannon Moore of Furman, 6-4, 6-4, Wake Forest[apos]s Christian Tara, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, and Mallory Voelker of Purdue, 6-1, 7-5...Partnered with Samantha Orlin, went 3-0 in doubles competition on the season...Finished 2-2 when paired with Schaub...Came out victorious against Alex Jurewitz of North Carolina, 6-3, 6-2, before falling in the round of 32 in singles play at the Wilson/ITA Regionals to Maria Brito of Clemson, 6-2, 6-4. FRESHMAN (2004-05): Joined the squad for the spring season and fashioned a 13-6 singles record...Was 2-1 at No. 5 and posted an 8-4 mark at the sixth slot...Showed no jitters in her initial NCAA Championships, as she scored a straight set, 6-0, 6-2 win over Boston University[apos]s Aimee Charest...First career dual victory came against Audrey Bordeleau of Arkansas, 6-4, 6-1, in a 6-1 Lady Vol win...Teamed up with Melissa Schaub in a doubles victory at the No. 2 position in the regular-season finale against No. 6 Georgia, helping Tennessee win the point and the match, 4-3...Concluded the year on a hot streak by winning her final six matches...Schutte toppled 11 of her final 13 opponents...Posted a 3-1 mark at the Freeman Memorial Tennis Championships in her first action as a member of the Orange and White. HIGH SCHOOL: Named player of the year and most improved player in 2004...Also participated in tennis, hockey and track & field...Played in the Federation Cup for South Africa and represented the nation at the African Cup...Achieved a personal-best junior ITF ranking of 84th, tying for the position on April 26, 2004...Competed in the main draw of Wimbledon Juniors in 2004. PERSONAL: Pursuing a degree in psychology...Biggest tennis thrills occurred when she competed at the Federation Cup for her country and at Junior Wimbledon...Chose Tennessee because her coach, Tracy Chapell, graduated from UT and recommended the school...Tennis ambitions include turning pro and being ranked in the top-50 in the world...Aspires to be involved with sport psychology...Models herself after Kim Clijsters...Biggest athletic influences include her parents, who inspired her and supported her since she started playing tennis...Has a brother, Christo, 28...Ghizela Schutte, the daughter of Kaaiman and Marietjie Schutte, was born on Jan. 7, 1987, in Pretoria, South Africa. SCHUTTE UP CLOSE Nickname: Ghiz Favorite Food: Braaivleis Favorite TV Show: 'CSI' Favorite Song: 'Jy Praat Nog Steeds My Taal,' by Bok van Blerk Favorite Movie: Blood Diamond Favorite Class at UT: Motivational Psychology Favorite Moment at UT: My first football game Favorite Quote: 'No excuses, play like a champion!' If there was a movie about your life, what would it be called? 'The Journey' Who has been the most inspirational person to you in your tennis career and why? 'God has been my inspiration since the day I invited him into my heart, and without knowing him I wouldn[apos]t be where I am today!' Rosalía Alda describes Ghizela in three words: Confident, congenial and motivated