May 4, 2011

KNOXVILLLE, Tenn. - The No. 13-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team will be well-represented at the 2011 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, as four members of this year's squad were selected to compete in the field, the NCAA announced Wednesday night.

UT placed two singles players in the field, as well as two doubles teams. Junior Natalie Pluskota earned a spot in the singles draw after posting a 14-10 record in singles play on the year. Pluskota currently ranks No. 40 in the Campbell/ITA singles rankings and was a First Team All-SEC selection this season.

Joining Pluskota in the singles draw is freshman Brynn Boren. A native of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Boren will be heading home to the Golden State thanks to her team-best 28 singles victories on the season. She boasts a 6-3 mark against top-100 foes and is rated No. 45 in the ITA singles poll. Boren earned Second Team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC honors for her play this season.

Pluskota and Boren will also team up to chase the NCAA doubles title. On the year, the duo boasts a 9-4 mar, including a perfect 4-0 in SEC regular season play. The talented tandem currently ranks 19th nationally and owns a win over No. 9-ranked Chelsey Gullickson and Kate Fuller of Georgia.

This will mark the third time in her career that Pluskota has competed in the NCAA Doubles Championships. She and Caitlin Whoriskey reached the semifinals in 2009 and followed that up with a runner-up finish in 2010.

Rounding out the quartet of Lady Vols competing in the NCAA individual championships is the doubles duo of Rosalía Alda and Millie Nichols. On the season, they have a 15-5 record, including an 11-2 mark during the fall tournament season.

This will be the first time Alda has competed in the NCAA Doubles Championship. Her 109-42 doubles record ranks fifth all-time in Tennessee history. She was a First Team All-SEC selection this season after tying a career-high with 29 doubles wins.

The singles and doubles championships will be held in Palo Alto, Calif., from May 25-30. Opening round pairings are scheduled to be released on May 24.

The Lady Vols will be back in action as a team on May 14, when they host College of Charleston in an NCAA First Round contest at Barksdale Stadium. First serve is scheduled for Noon ET.

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