University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Purdue
LADY VOL TENNIS OPENS DUAL SEASON WITH WIN OVER PURDUE
January 25, 2002 | Women's Tennis
Jan. 25, 2002
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis team blanked Purdue, 7-0, on Friday evening to stay undefeated against the Boilermakers through nine meetings. UT did not drop a set in the opening match of the dual season.
Co-head coaches Mike Patrick and Sonia Hahn-Patrick employed an alternate lineup in the win, holding out the Lady Vol's top rated player Alison Ojeda (No. 16). In her place, Vilmarie Castellvi played at No. 1 singles and senior Kim Gates competed at the No. 2 position, while Agnes Wiski took to court three. Junior Crystal Cleveland filled in at No. 4, while a pair of freshmen completed the lineup as Breanna Kray played at the No. 5 spot and Ashley Robards cleaned up in sixth. Ojeda's absence also played a role in the doubles pairings. Castellvi and Wiski moved to the top spot, while Cleveland, Ojeda's usual partner, teamed with Majen Immink at No. 2. Gates and Kray came together for the final tandem.
"The team played through some tough circumstances tonight," Patrick said. "It seemed that everyone was a little dinged up or had to work hard to focus. They all came out and played solid matches for us in positions they were not necessarily comfortable in. It's a good start for the season."
The Lady Vols opened the match by sweeping the doubles to take an early 1-0 lead. Cleveland and Immink struck first with an 8-6 triumph over Gretchen Haynor and Melissa Wright. Soon after that, Castellvi and Wiski finished off an 8-5 win over Lynsey Fick and Missy Woods to clinch the one doubles point. Gates and Kray then completed the hat trick, taking an 8-4 decision from Melissa Iqbal and Lara Burgarello.
In singles, Cleveland charged out and took the opening set from Amy Walgenbach, 6-1 on court- four. Walgenbach fought back, claiming a 3-1 lead in the second frame. However, Cleveland then silenced her foe and won six straight games to put UT up 2-0 in the match.
Castellvi, who was forced to serve underhand because of an injured stomach muscle, was the next Lady Vol to strike. The 20th rated player dealt Iqbal a 6-2, 6-3 loss to make the score 3-0.
Wiski sealed the match for Tennessee with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Burgarello. Gates, Kray and Robards all added their own wins to complete the shutout.
The Lady Vols, 1-0, will resume play on Sunday as they play host to No. 29 Illinois at noon in the Goodfriend Tennis Center.
| AGATE RESULTS | ||
| Singles | ||
| 1. | #20 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. #105 Melissa Iqbal (PU) | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2. | # 66 Kim Gates (UT) def. Gretchen Haynor (PU) | 6-2, 6-1 |
| 3. | # 77 Agnes Wiski (UT) def. Lara Burgarello (PU) | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 4. | Crystal Cleveland (UT) def. Amy Walgenbach (PU) | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 5. | Breanna Kray (UT) def. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 6. | Ashley Robards (UT) def. Lynsey Fick (PU) | 6-0, 7-5 |
| Doubles | ||
| 1. | #45 Castellvi/Wiski (UT) def. #41 Fick/Woods (PU) | 8-5 |
| 2. | Cleveland/Immink (UT) def. Haynor/Wright (PU) | 8-6 |
| 3. | Gates/Kray (UT) def. Iqbal/Burgarello (PU) | 8-4 |
