March 9, 2003

AUBURN, Ala.

The 11th-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis squad finished up a successful weekend in Alabama on Sunday by coasting past No. 40 Auburn, 6-1, at the Luther King Tennis Complex. The win upped UT's record to 11-3 on the year and 3-1 in league action, while the Tigers dropped to 8-4 and 1-3 in the SEC.

"This was a good weekend for us," said UT Co-Head Coach Mike Patrick. "We played well and accomplished what we set out to do here. I'm looking forward to our next matches over spring break with LSU and Arkansas."

The Lady Vols got things started by winning the doubles point for the 12th time in 14 matches this year. The 17th-rated combo of senior Vilmarie Castellvi and freshman Melissa Schaub improved to 18-4 on the season when they made short work of the nation's No. 40 mix of sophomore Petra Bercik and junior Carolina Ramirez at one doubles, 8-3. Moments later, senior Crystal Cleveland and rookie Sabita Maharaj posted an 8-3 decision over freshman Isabel Rosenbrock and sophomore Sarah Suiter at the No. 3 slot, giving UT the early 1-0 lead.

The singles action was delayed for some time due to an intense matchup at the second doubles position between UT junior Tammy Encina and sophomore Majen Immink and Auburn freshman Ashley Cowart and junior Liz Sauerborn. Encina and Immink entered the contest undefeated on the year at 6-0 and found their perfect record in jeopardy as the match went into a tiebreaker. The tandem, however, prevailed in fine fashion, blanking Cowart and Sauerborn in the extra frame, 7-0.

The Orange and White's momentum continued in the singles portion of the event. Castellvi once again lived up to her No. 3 national billing by disposing of No. 93 Ramirez at one singles in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, native jumped to 28-4 for the 2002-03 campaign and 13-1 at the No. 1 slot. She is also 25-3 versus ranked foes.

Cleveland, ranked No. 99, was the next to finish for UT at three singles. She downed No. 108 Rosenbrock in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4, for her 11th-straight victory. The Delray Beach, Fla., native is now 21-7 on the year and 12-2 in dual matches. Her win established a new team season-best winning streak, breaking Castellvi's previous mark of 10.

Maharaj secured the Lady Vols' 11th victory at No. 4 singles by taking out Sauerborn, 6-2, 7-6(2), to snap her four-match winless streak. Maharaj is now 8-9 on the season and 2-4 in duals.

Auburn picked up its first and only point on the afternoon when Bercik defeated Schaub at the second slot, 7-5, 6-3. Schaub, normally UT's No. 3 player, was forced to fill in for Encina, who pulled out of the match after the doubles with an injury to her right shoulder.

Sophomore Ashley Robards added to Tennessee's total when she overwhelmed her high school nemesis Suitor at five singles, 6-4, 6-1, to inch closer to .500 on the year at 10-11. Robards played for Henderson County High School in Kentucky, whereas Suiter attended Lone Oak in Paducah.

The match finished up at No. 6 singles, where Immink won a three-setter over Cowart. Immink fell in the first set, 6-4, but came back with a 7-5 victory in the second stanza. A super tiebreaker was played to decide the third set, which Immink claimed by a 10-5 count.

LSU and Arkansas await Tennessee next week in Baton Rouge, La., and Fayetteville, Ark. UT will face the Tigers on March 14 at 2 p.m. CST and the Lady Razorbacks at 1 p.m. CST on March 16. The Big Orange holds the advantage over both schools with margins of 17-10 and 14-2. The Lady Vols have won three straight over LSU and four in a row against Arkansas.

Final Score: #11 Tennessee (11-3, 3-1 SEC) 6, #40 Auburn (8-4, 1-3 SEC) 1

SINGLES
No. 1	#3 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. #93 Carolina Ramirez (AU)	6-1, 6-1
No. 2	Petra Bercik (AU) def. Melissa Schaub (UT)	7-5, 6-3
No. 3	#99 Crystal Cleveland (UT) def. #108 Isabel Rosenbrock (AU)	6-0, 6-4
No. 4	Sabita Maharaj (UT) def. Liz Sauerborn (AU)	6-2, 7-6(2)
No. 5	Ashley Robards (UT) def. Sarah Suiter (AU)	6-4, 6-1
No. 6	Majen Immink (UT) def. Ashley Cowart (AU)	4-6, 7-5, (10-5)
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 4*, 2, 5, 6
DOUBLES
No. 1	#17 Castellvi/Schaub (UT) def. #40 Bercik/Ramirez (UA)	8-3
No. 2	Encina/Majen Immink (UT) def. Cowart/Sauerborn (AU)	9-8(0)
No. 3	Cleveland/Maharaj (UT) def. Rosenbrock/Suiter (AU)	8-3
Order of Finish: 1, 3*, 2

* clinching point