April 28, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Following a runner-up finish at the 2010 SEC Tournament, four Tennessee women's tennis players were named to the All-SEC First and Second teams, the league office announced on Wednesday.

Senior Caitlin Whoriskey was named to the All-SEC First Team, while Rosalía Alda, Maria Sorbello and Zsófia Zubor all received Second Team All-SEC honors.

UT co-head coach Mike Patrick said that he was proud of all four of the honorees.

"With the injuries we've had, those four players who made it were the main stays of our team and they helped hold it together," Patrick said. "They're the reasons why we got to the SEC Championship. They've all had to improve a lot and they all did that. This definitely shows that hard work pays off."

For Whoriskey, this marks the third All-SEC Team she has made in her career. She was on the Second Team in 2007-08 and the First Team in 2008-09. The East Sandwich, Mass. native posted a 29-11 mark in singles play this year, including 9-2 in regular season SEC play.

She was just as impressive in doubles, going 33-4 with 14 of those wins against ranked squads. She currently sits on both the No. 1 and No. 11-ranked doubles teams in the nation, with Natalie Pluskota and Maria Sorbello, respectively.

In her career at UT, Whoriskey has posted 88 singles wins, the 13th-best total in school history. Her 106 doubles victories rank fourth on the all-time Tennessee list.

Patrick said that Whoriskey's determination has helped her succeed at such a high level over four years.

"She's improved every year and moved up every year," Patrick said. "She's been dedicated and worked hard and done all of the right things. We expect her to play for a long time after she's done here."

All three of the Lady Vols who made the Second Team earned their first-ever All-SEC distinction.

For Zubor, it was the culmination of a stellar four years at Rocky Top. Her 104 doubles victories rank fifth on the all-time Tennessee list. She paired with Whoriskey to capture the first national championship in school history, a win at ITA All-America Doubles Championship in 2007.

This season, Zubor is second on the team with 24 singles victories. She and Alda teamed up to go 27-10 in doubles action and are ranked 30th in the latest Campbell/ITA rankings.

In addition to teaming with Zubor, Alda enjoyed an outstanding season in singles play. The junior from Round Rock, Texas went 21-16 in singles, playing primarily from the No. 3 spot. She also came through in the clutch, winning match-clinching points on five occasions, the most on the team.

After playing mostly at the back end of the singles lineup in 2008-09, Sorbello moved up to the No. 2 spot and enjoyed the best season of her career. She recorded 22 singles wins and went 6-5 against top-100 foes.

Sorbello also paired up with Whoriskey in doubles competition and the two went 14-3 in dual match play. They currently rank No. 11 in the nation and are 5-2 against ranked competitors.

This marks the second straight year that UT players have earned four All-SEC distinctions. Whoriskey (First Team), Samantha Orlin (Second Team) and Natalie Pluskota (Second Team and All-Freshman Team) achieved the feat last year. The four individuals on the All-SEC teams are the most since 2001.

Tennessee will take a few weeks off before competing in the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Vols will learn their first round destination and opponent during the NCAA Selection Show on ESPNU, May 4 at 5 p.m.

Fans are reminded to follow the Lady Vols on Twitter at www.twitter.com/UTLadyVols

2010 SEC WOMEN'S TENNIS AWARDS

Coach of the Year: Roland Thornqvist, Florida
Player of the Year: Lauren Embree, Florida
Freshman of the Year: Allie Will, Florida
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Catherine Newman, Vanderbilt

All-SEC First Team
Anouk Tigu, Arkansas
Fani Chifchieva, Auburn
Marrit Boonstra, Florida
Allie Will, Florida
Lauren Embree, Florida
Chelsey Gullickson, Georgia
Nadja Gilchrist, Georgia
Kristi Boxx, Ole Miss
Connor Vogel, Ole Miss
Ana Marija Zubori, South Carolina
Caitlin Whoriskey, TENNESSEE
Catherine Newman, Vanderbilt

All-SEC Second Team
Alexa Gurachi, Alabama
Courtney McClane, Alabama
Dijana Stojic, South Carolina
Anastsia Revzina, Florida
Yvette Hyndman, Georgia
Christine Johnson, Kentucky
Keri Frankenberger, LSU
Karen Nijssen, Ole Miss
Laura van de Stroet, Ole Miss
Rosalía Alda, TENNESSEE
Maria Sorbello, TENNESSEE
Zsofia Zubor, TENNESSEE
Chelsea Preeg, Vanderbilt

All-Freshman Team
Lauren Embree, Florida
Allie Will, Florida
Kelsey Sundaram, Arkansas
Keri Frankenberger, LSU
Alexa Guarachi, Alabama