Oct. 22, 2009

By Zach Stipe, Media Relations Graduate Assistant

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Propelled by its 2009 Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships victory last weekend, the Tennessee women's golf team vaulted up the rankings this week.

Tennessee climbed to season-best placements of No. 7 in the nation, according to Golfweek, and No. 10 in the Golfstat head-to-head standings. Both rankings are based on formulas that take into account strength of schedule, scoring average and head-to-head records.

The Big Orange rose from No. 22 to No. 7 in the Golfweek rankings after being tabbed the National Team of the Week by the publication for its 19-stroke win at Fox Den Country Club.

The Lady Vols entered last week ranked No. 18 by Golfstat before moving to 10th in the standings.

UT captured its home tournament with its best total of the fall season, 4-over 868, as sophomore Nathalie Mansson led the way by winning medalist honors in a five-hole playoff.

Seniors Ginny Brown (third) and Diana Cantú (tied for eighth) and freshmen Sara Monberg (t13th) and Erica Popson (t29th) rounded out the lineup for the Big Orange.

So far this season, the Orange and White are averaging just over three strokes (3.22) as a team per 18 holes in three tournaments. Tennessee opened the season by placing fourth at the Cougar Classic from Sept. 13-14 before finishing sixth at the Cougar Classic from Oct. 9-11.

The Lady Vols will carry a .843 winning percentage (43-8 head-to-head record) into their final tournament of the fall portion of their schedule, the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, this Monday and Tuesday.

Check out the full rankings at www.golfweek.com and www.golfstat.com.