The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Tennis Excited To Begin New Year
9/10/2009 | Women's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. - With five of the top six returning off a squad that ended the 2009 season ranked No. 21 in the nation, the Ole Miss women's tennis team is set to kick off a new year this weekend at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic in Nashville, Tenn.
Usually held at the end of the fall season, the SEC Fall Coaches Classic has moved to the beginning of the semester, allowing teams to get an early look at the rest of the league, which boasted nine teams in the final top 25 last year.
In one of their most successful seasons in several years, the Rebels defeated five top 25 teams in the SEC in 2009, including a win over Florida for the first time since 1999. The team advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals, knocking off then 14th-ranked Arkansas in the process and earned its 12th NCAA bid, reaching the second round.
Kristi Boxx, who played No. 1 singles and teamed with Karen Nijssen at No. 1 doubles as a freshman, will lead the Rebels again this year. Boxx begins the year ranked No. 25 in singles while Nijssen (junior) is ranked No. 49. The duo are ranked No. 9 in doubles.
Also back is junior Laura van de Stroet and sophomores Gabriela Rangel and Abigail Guthrie. Rangel and Guthrie combined for 44 wins in singles and doubles last year in their debut.
Connor Vogel, who transferred in last year, and Pippa Reakes, who missed last season with an injury, are ready to contribute to the team. Soledad Podlipnik, the only senior this year, provides the Rebels with added depth.
"We are excited to begin the year and looking forward to a great tournament this weekend," head coach Mark Beyers said. "The players have been working hard in practice, and we are ready to put it to the test against some of the best players in the nation."
The fall collegiate tennis season consists of round robin team action and individual tournament play. Team dual matches begin in January. The Lady Rebels will compete in the Memphis Tournament Sept. 18-20 followed by the Florida Tournament Sept. 25-27. October begins with the ITA All-American Championships (Oct. 3-10) followed by the ITA South Regional Championships (Oct. 23-27). The team will conclude the fall at the Baylor Invitational Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Ole Miss' first team dual match will be in Oxford on Jan. 26 against Southern Mississippi.
