Podlipnik Trades Big City For Small Town

By Kim Ling

Associate Athletics Media Relations Director

Most of us at some point in our lives grow up and leave home, whether for college or a job.  In some cases that might even be to go across the country.  For the newest member of the Ole Miss women’s tennis team, it meant leaving an entire continent and moving to an unknown place, sight unseen.

Freshman Soledad Podlipnik of Santiago, Chile, was looking for a place to attend college this spring and continue honing her skills on the tennis court.  A lot of international students research American schools on the internet.  With more than 200 universities who play Division I tennis, one can imagine the difficulty someone from another country might have in choosing a school, sight unseen.

That’s what Podlipnik did, but then a familiar face with connections to Ole Miss helped her make a decision. Karem Harboe, a four-year letterwinner from 2001-04, came to Oxford from Chile herself.  Having known Podlipnik, Harboe, who attended last weekend’s matches, convinced her Ole Miss was the right fit.

“It’s hard growing up in a big city like Santiago and coming to a small town, but the people are nice,” said Podlipnik.  I’ve only been here a short time, and I know it will take awhile to get adjusted.”

While it may take Podlipnik some time to find her way around Oxford and the Southern way of life, she quickly showed her game on the tennis courts in the Lady Rebels’ opening weekend of play.

Ranked No. 1 in Chile in junior tennis, Podlipnik has been involved in big matches before, playing for Chile in the ITF Federation Cup and also as a member of the Junior Fed Cup Team.  She found out what big-time college tennis is like right away.

Podlipnik went 4-0 in singles and doubles last weekend, including a big win against UALR. With the Lady Rebels having lost the doubles point and needing four singles wins, Podlipnik rallied from a set down to defeat her opponent in three sets and clinch the victory for her new team.  After her first match, Podlipnik talked about coming through for the team.

“I was happy to win my first match here,” Podlipnik said.  “It was great to be able to help the team.  When I got down I told myself I had to give it 100 percent. If I lost that would be alright if I gave it my best.  I didn’t feel any pressure to win. I stayed pretty calm.”

The coaches are thrilled to have Podlipnik on their side of the court and expect her to have a great career for the next four years.

“Soledad is a very steady player,” head coach Mark Beyers said.  “As she gets more acclimated to the hard courts (played mostly on clay courts in junior tennis) she will become a more complete player and be a valuable contributor.”

“Sole’ is an immediate impact player for our team, and she will win many matches for the Lady Rebels,” added assistant coach Whitt Taber. “This is my ninth player to have coached and/or recruited from South America since I began coaching, and I am happy to be able to continue that tradition with Sole’.

“She is a wonderful young lady and will be an asset to our University and tennis program.”

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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