April 15, 2011

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The No. 16-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team will wrap up its regular season with a match against No. 8 Georgia on Saturday at Barksdale Stadium.

Saturday will also mark the final regular season home match for a trio of Lady Vol seniors. Rosalía Alda, Jennifer Meredith and Maria Sorbello.

As a group and as individuals, they have been extremely successful in their careers and co-head coach Sonia Hahn-Patrick says that the program will miss them when they leave.

"They've been consistent throughout their four years as far as what they've produced and contributed," Hahn-Patrick said. "They are all very different in what they've done and achieved. It's going to be a big loss."

Alda, a native of Round Rock, Texas, ranks fifth in school history in doubles wins with 107. Her 82 singles wins rank 19th all-time and she has been a major contributor for all of her years at Rocky Top. Hahn-Patrick said she's been blown away by how much Alda has improved.

"It's been a gradual progression for Rosalía," Hahn-Patrick said. "She's worked on different parts of her game. It's a night-and-day difference as far as what she was when she came in and how she's going to be leaving. We're really proud of her."

Meredith is one of the fiercest competitors to ever suit up for the Lady Vols. She has 25 doubles wins this season, second-best on the team. She and Kata Szekely racked up 19 straight victories at the No. 3 spot from Jan. 31-April 10.

"Jennifer is someone who will lay it on the line," Hahn-Patrick said. "You know exactly what you're going to get from her every day. I think her record shows that. She brings a lot of great energy to our team and our program."

Rounding out the group of seniors is Maria Sorbello. The seventh Lady Vol from Australia, Sorbello has been one of the best doubles players in school history, notching 81 wins over the past four years. Her .771 winning percentage is second-best among players who have won at least 50 doubles matches.

"She's been a huge part of our lineup for each of the last two years," Hahn-Patrick said. "She's had to overcome some injuries this year which I think have set her back. She's starting to play a lot better and she's had a great career."

Saturday's match also has major seeding implications for the SEC Tournament. The winner of the contest will earn the No. 2 overall seed in the league. If Georgia wins, UT will fall to the No. 4 seed. If Tennessee is victorious, Georgia will be third in the conference.

First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.

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