The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lady Rebel Netters Among Top 25 In Preseason Rankings
9/16/1999 | Women's Tennis
Sept. 16, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. ? Seniors Celeste Frey and Ivona Mihailova of the Ole Miss women's tennis team are ranked among the top 25 in the preseason Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) singles rankings released this week. This is an individual only ranking.
Frey begins the season ranked No. 16 in the nation. She posted the best record on the team last year at 36-19 and ended the year nationally-ranked in singles and doubles. Frey qualified for the main draw at this year's National Clay Court Championships, which begin next week.
Mihailova is ranked No. 21 in singles after having an excellent year in 1999. She posted a 30-7 overall record and an impressive 19-1 record at No. 3 singles. Mihailova earned All-SEC first team honors in singles and doubles.
Freshman Mira Radu of Rumania, entered the rankings at No. 77. Radu is ranked No. 451 in the WTA rankings and was ranked No. 1 in Rumania.
In doubles, Frey and Mariana Eberle cracked the top five. The two played No. 1 last year for the Lady Rebels and finished with a 26-13 record. Frey and Eberle made the finals at the 1998 National Clay Court Championships.
The sister duo of Ivona and Irena Mihailova garnered their first ranking coming in at No. 46. The pair clinched the win over Florida that gave the Lady Rebels the SEC Tournament title and earned All-SEC first team honors with a 9-1 conference record at No. 3 doubles.
The Lady Rebels enjoyed their best season ever, advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals, finishing ranked No. 6 in the nation, and capturing the SEC Tournament title.