Oct. 30, 2009

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- After winning its second straight tournament on Tuesday at the Alamo Invitational, the Tennessee women's golf team made a jump in all three rankings this week.

The Lady Vols most significant leap came in the Golf World/NGCA Coaches' Poll, where they rose from No. 23 to No. 10 after their victories the last two weeks in San Antonio and at the Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships in Knoxville.

In the Golfstat head-to-head standings, UT rose from No. 10 to No. 7 in the country, while the Big Orange jumped one place to No. 6 in the latest Golfweek ratings.

Both the Golfstat and Golfweek rankings are based on formulas that take into account strength of schedule, scoring average and head-to-head records.

It's been a spectacular fall season for Lady Vol head coach Judi Pavon and her squad.

Tennessee opened the season by placing fourth at the Cougar Classic from Sept. 13-14 before finishing sixth at the Tar Heel Invitational from Oct. 9-11.

At their home tournament from Oct. 16-18, the Mercedes-Benz, the Lady Vols won by a tournament-record 19 strokes and sophomore Nathalie Mansson captured her first individual title in a playoff that lasted five holes.

A little over a week later, UT repeated its home tournament performance, by sweeping team and individual titles at the weather-shortened Alamo Invitational. The Orange and White took first with a team total of 1-over 289, while Mansson claimed her second consecutive title by tying with Notre Dame's Annie Brophy. Both players fired 2-under-par 70s.

The Lady Vols ended the fall portion of its schedule with an .871 winning percentage (54-8 head-to-head record) and a 3.00 average versus par per 18 holes.

Tennessee's next tournament will be in about four months, as it will compete at the Arizona Wildcat in Tucson, Ariz., in February.