Jan. 18, 2009

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - With victories in both her singles and doubles contests, sophomore Rosalía Alda paced the No. 24 University of Tennessee women's tennis team on the second day of action at the University of Michigan Invitational at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The native of Round Rock, Texas, opened the day with a convincing, 6-3, 6-1, triumph over Lindsey Howard from Michigan, before teaming up with fellow classmate Maria Sorbello to dispatch the Duke duo of Amanda Granson and Jessi Robinson, 8-3. Joining Alda in the winner's circle in singles action were senior Samantha Orlin and junior Zsófia Zubor, while the Tennessee tandem of sophomore Jennifer Meredith and freshman Natalie Pluskota also claimed a doubles win.

Ranked No. 77 in the nation, Orlin picked up a hard-fought, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, victory over Hannah Blatt from Southeastern Conference rival Vanderbilt to earn her seventh singles win of the year and first of the spring. Zubor then followed with a 7-5, 6-4, triumph over Commodore freshman Heather Steinbauer. The only other UT victory on the day came in doubles play, where Meredith and Pluskota prevailed, 8-4, over the Blue Devil twosome of Melissa Mang and Reka Zsilinszka.

Coming up just short of victory, however, were junior Caitlin Whoriskey, Meredith, Pluskota and freshman Katie Lee. The 92nd-rated singles player in the nation, Whoriskey dropped a 6-3, 6-2, decision to No. 21 Jackie Wu from Vanderbilt, while Pluskota was taken out in three sets, 6-3, 1-6, 5-7, by Wu's teammate, No. 84 Keilly Ulery. Vandy freshman Chelsea Preeg then defeated Meredith in a three-set battle, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, and Michigan's Michelle Sulahian emerged victorious over Lee, 2-6, 6-2, 4-6, who was making her singles debut wearing the Orange and White.

Tennessee will return to the courts at Noon on Monday at the Varsity Tennis Center for a round of doubles play against teams from in-state rival Vanderbilt. The Lady Vols will then close out their stay at the Michigan Invitational by competing against individuals from the host Wolverines in a set of singles bouts. Live stats and video can be found at either www.UTLadyVols.com or www.MGoBlue.com.

SUNDAY RESULTS
SINGLES
No. 21 Jackie Wu (Vanderbilt)	def.	No. 92 Caitlin Whoriskey (Tennessee)	6-3, 6-2
No. 84 Keilly Ulery (Vanderbilt)	def.	Natalie Pluskota (Tennessee)	3-6, 6-1, 7-5
No. 80 Chelsea Preeg (Vanderbilt)	def.	Jennifer Meredith (Tennessee)	6-4, 4-6, 6-4
No. 77 Samantha Orlin (Tennessee)	def.	Hannah Blatt (Vanderbilt)	6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Zsófia Zubor (Tennessee)	def.	Heather Steinbauer (Vanderbilt)	7-5, 6-4
Rosalía Alda (Tennessee)	def.	Lindsey Howard (Michigan)	6-3, 6-1
Michelle Sulahian (Michigan)	def.	Katie Lee (Tennessee)	6-2, 2-6, 6-4
DOUBLES
Rosalía Alda/Maria Sorbello (Tennessee)	def.	Amanda Granson/Jessi Robinson (Duke)	8-3
Jennifer Meredith/Natalie Pluskota (Tennessee)	def.	Melissa Mang/Reka Zsilinszka (Duke)	8-4