Oct. 10, 2003

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif.

University of Tennessee senior Tammy Encina's impressive run at the Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Championships came to an end on Friday against the NCAA's top-ranked player.

After downing sixth-ranked Alice Barnes of Stanford earlier in the day, Encina fell to No. 1 Agata Cioroch of Georgia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the quarterfinal round on Friday afternoon. Encina, tabbed at No. 27 in the ITA rankings, now boasts a record of 6-2 this fall, including a 5-2 mark versus opponents ranked in the top 100.

In the first round on Thursday, Encina cruised by No. 63 Alicia Salas of Notre Dame, 6-4, 6-0. The All-American Championships are considered to be the premier event of the fall collegiate season, featuring a field that contains many of the top players in the NCAA. By advancing to the quarterfinal round, the Miami Beach, Fla., native progressed further in the tournament than did UT legend Vilmarie Castellvi last year, who went on to earn a final ranking No. 1 in the nation.

Following her return from the Golden State, Encina and the rest of the Lady Vols will be in action next at the June Stewart Invitational in Nashville, Tenn., over Oct. 17-19.

Riviera/ITA All-American Women's Tennis Championships
UT Singles Results for Fri., Oct. 10
#27 Tammy Encina (Tennessee) def. #6 Alice Barnes (Stanford), 7-6(4),
6-1 (second round)
#1 Agata Cioroch (Georgia) def. #27 Tammy Encina (Tennessee), 4-6, 6-2,
6-3 (quarterfinals)