Jan. 19, 2003

LAS VEGAS, Nev.

It was a clean sweep on Sunday for No. 4-ranked Vilmarie Castellvi of the University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team, as the senior won both the singles and doubles crowns at the Collegiate Tennis Kickoff in Las Vegas, Nev. The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, native is now 4-0 in singles this spring and 15-3 for the 2002-03 campaign. Her doubles mark stands at 3-0 this year and 7-1 overall.

Castellvi upended No. 17 Amber Liu of Stanford for the singles championship in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, despite being bothered by an open flesh wound on the palm of her right hand. She then teamed with freshman Melissa Schaub to defeat Jennifer Magley and Zerene Reyes in the doubles final, 8-5. Castellvi and Schaub, ranked No. 22 in the country, are now 7-1 together.

"Vilmarie overcame some obstacles this weekend," said UT Co-Head Coach Mike Patrick. "Her hand was hurting a lot, and she showed a lot of courage by the way she played. This is a great way to head into our first match next weekend."

The Lady Vols' No. 1 singles player actually trailed Liu early in the first set, down a break at 1-3, but found a way to come back and take out the rookie for the second time this season. Castellvi and Liu have now butted heads three times, with Castellvi claiming the last two.

"Vilmarie had to change her game when she got down," said Patrick. "She started hitting a lot of defensive shots and that disrupted (Liu's) rhythm."

Two consolation matches involving members of the Orange and White squad were also played. Schaub defeated Janna Kao of Stanford in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, however, senior Crystal Cleveland was dropped by UNLV's Tracie Chong, 6-1, 6-4.

Tennessee opens dual match competition in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. CT when the Big Orange faces No. 62 Middle Tennessee State. The Lady Volunteers' first home contest is set for Jan. 26 when 37th-ranked Michigan visits Knoxville for a 1 p.m. showdown at UT Varsity Courts and Goodfriend Tennis Center.

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
#4 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. #17 Amber Liu (Stanford) 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
#22 Castellvi/Schaub (UT) def. Jennifer Magley/Zerene Reyes (Florida) 8-5
SINGLES-CONSOLATION MATCHES
Tracie Chong (UNLV) def. Crystal Cleveland (UT) 6-1, 6-4
Melissa Schaub (UT) def. Janna Kao (Stanford) 6-1, 6-3