The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Tennis To Host Southern Miss In Season Opener
1/24/2011 | Women's Tennis
Jan. 24, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - The much anticipated 2011 dual match season begins Tuesday for the No. 18 nationally ranked Ole Miss women's tennis team as they host Southern Miss. The match starts at 2 p.m. at the Gillom Sports Center and admission is free.
This will mark the first match of the season for Southern Miss as well. The Golden Eagles finished the 2010 season with an 8-6 overall record.
"We're looking forward to starting the season," head coach Mark Beyers said. "After so many days of keeping score against each other, they're excited to get to keep score against someone else. "We hope to have as many fans as possible come out to the Gillom Center tomorrow and watch the match. We are excited to showcase this talented team to the fans."
The Rebels are coming off one of their most successful seasons in several years, winning the SEC West Championship and advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the seventh time. Expectations are high this year with the return of five of the top six and two talented newcomers.
Leading the way, in her third season with the Rebels, is Grenada, Miss., native, Kristi Boxx. Boxx became the ninth All-American in the history of the program last year and is a two-time first team All-SEC honoree. She is currently ranked No. 21 in the nation in singles.
Boxx will have plenty of help this year with senior All-SEC honorees Connor Vogel and Laura van de Stroet and juniors Abby Guthrie and Gabby Rangel. These five have played a huge role in returning the Rebels to national prominence.
Joining the team this year are freshmen Caroline Rohde-Moe and Vivian Vlaar. Vlaar came on board in the fall, and Rohde-Moe made her debut a week ago at the Memphis Winter Invitational. Both are expected to help the Rebels immediately.
In related news, Ole Miss was picked to finish second in the SEC West behind Alabama in close vote. The Crimson Tide received 65 points to the Rebels 64. Ole Miss won the SEC West last year.
The complete tally for the poll is below.
2011 Women's Tennis Coaches Preseason Poll
| EASTERN DIVISION | POINTS |
| 1. Florida | 72 |
| 2. Georgia | 58 |
| 3. Tennessee | 48 |
| 4. Vanderbilt | 32 |
| 5. South Carolina | 29 |
| 6. Kentucky | 13 |
| WESTERN DIVISION | POINTS |
| 1. Alabama | 65 |
| 2. Ole Miss | 64 |
| 3. Arkansas | 50 |
| 4. LSU | 31 |
| 5. Auburn | 30 |
| 6. Mississippi State | 12 |
Overall Regular Season Champion: Florida (12 points)
