Alabama Women?s Tennis Falls to Tennessee in Final Match
4/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
LEXINGTON, Ky.- The University of Alabama women's tennis team fell to Tennessee, 4-0, in the first round of the SEC tournament today in Lexington, Ky.
"Tennessee played a great match," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "They looked stronger and had more depth today than they did the first time we played them, with Ghizela Schutte re-entering the lineup after an injury. I was pleased with the way we came out ready to play, we had a few opportunities early in the match but we could not capitalize on them."
The Crimson Tide trailed early on all three doubles courts and could not make up the difference as the Vols earned wins at Nos. 1 and 3 and picked up the first point of the match. Tennessee's Caitlin Whorskey and Sam Orlin clinched the match from the No. 1 slot with an 8-4 victory over Alabama's Mari Muller and Andrea Brenes.
Alabama fell at Nos. 1, 4 and 6 in singles to give Tennessee the match. The Tide showed its fighting spirit until the end with Shelley Godwin, Nicole Briceno and Paulina Bigos taking a set from their opponents before the match was suspended. Tennessee's Vicky Jones clinched the match by defeating Alabama's Brenes at the No. 6 slot.
The Crimson Tide ended the season ranked No. 72 nationally and will return seven out of the eight players who held a spot in the lineup. Led by four freshmen, Alabama looks forward to next season and the chance to use the invaluable experience the young charges received this year.
"I am really pleased with our underclassmen this year," said Mainz. "They came out ready for every match and stepped up late in the season when we needed them the most. The experience and practice the young girls received this season could prove invaluable next year when we head into the SEC with five underclassmen familiar to the competition and pressure of playing in our conference. We are going to rebuild and move forward and look ahead to next season."
-UA-
#5 Tennessee 4, #12 Alabama 0
Lexington, Ky.
Singles Competition
Blakeley Griffith (UT) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-3, 6-1
Ghizela Schutte (UT) vs. Nicole Briceno (UA) 6-0, 4-6 unf.
Connor Vogel (UT) vs. Shelley Godwin (UA) 6-4, 1-4 unf.
Caitlin Whorskey (UT) def. Bianca Svensson (UA) 6-1, 6-2
Sam Orlin (UT) vs. Paulina Bigos (UA) 4-6, 4-1 unf.
Vicky Jones (UT) def. Andrea Brenes (UA) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles Competition
Caitlin Whorskey/Zsofia Zubor (UT) def. Mari Muller/Andrea Brenes (UA) 8-4
Blakeley Griffity/Sam Orlin (UT) vs. Shelley Godwin/Bianca Svensson (UA) 6-5 unf.
Connor Vogel/Ghizela Schutte (UT) def. Paulina Bigos/Nicole Briceno (UA) 8-4
Match Notes
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3*); Singles (4,1,6*)
