Jan. 19, 2003

LAS VEGAS - Basking in sunny skies and above-normal temperatures, Tennessee senior Vilmarie Castellvi won both the singles and doubles titles of the 2003 Women's Collegiate Tennis Kickoff Classic at the Fertitta Tennis Complex Sunday.

Castellvi, ranked fourth in the nation, rallied from down a first-set break and then eased by 17th-ranked Amber Liu of Stanford 6-4, 6-3. Castellvi also won last year's singles championship at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic played on the UNLV campus, which makes her 8-0 all-time in Las Vegas.

Later in the day, Castellvi and partner Melissa Schaub, ranked 22nd nationally, made it a Volunteer sweep in the main draw by defeating Florida's Jennifer Magley and Zerene Reyes 8-5 in the doubles final.

Host UNLV also boasted a final-day winner when sophomore Tracie Chong swept Tennessee's Crystal Cleveland in a consolation final 6-1, 6-4. Chong finished 4-1 at the tournament and improved to 10-4 for the season.

"This tournament turned out to be a great experience for our program," UNLV head coach Kevin Cory said. "I was especially pleased with the way that Tracie Chong performed. She proved this weekend that she can play with the top players in the country."

The Lady Rebels are off until opening their dual-match season by hosting New Mexico State on January 31.

"We have a couple of weeks to prepare for our spring season and this event was an indication that we'll have a lot of success in 2003," Cory said of the defending Mountain West Conference champions.

Collegiate Tennis Kickoff Classic
At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas, NV
Jan. 17-19, 2003

MAIN DRAW   Jan. 19
FINALS
SINGLES(2) Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. (5) Amber Liu (STAN)   6-4, 6-3
DOUBLESCastellvi/Melissa Schaub (UT) def. Jennifer Magley/Zerene Reyes (UF) 8-5

CONSOLATION PLAY    Jan. 19

FIRST ROUND CONSOLATION FINAL
Tina Hojnik (UGA) def. Evgenia Subbotina (UGA)  6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7)
ROUND OF 16 CONSOLATION FINAL
Tracie Chong (UNLV) def. Crystal Cleveland (UT)  6-1, 6-4
BACKDRAW CONSOLATION FINAL
Melissa Schaub (UT) def. Janna Kao (STAN)   6-1, 6-3