Jan. 29, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt junior Courtney Ulery (Wellington, Fla.) was named the Southeastern Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced on Tuesday. Ulery, ranked 13th nationally in singles, has a 5-0 record in the spring in both singles and doubles.
“She’s worked really hard and improved both her singles game and her doubles game,” Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “If there’s a handful of the most improved players in the country, she is probably one of them.”
The honor marks the first weekly honor for Ulery in her career and the first for a Vanderbilt women’s tennis player since February 8, 2007, when Amanda Taylor received the same award.
After finishing the fall with a 13-0 record, Ulery has continued her impressive streak into the spring season, winning her first five matches. Last week, Ulery helped the Commodores to wins over No. 23 Michigan and No. 9 Notre Dame.
Ulery posted an impressive straight-set victory over No. 88 Colleen Rielley 6-1, 6-4 in Vanderbilt’s victory over the Fighting Irish. The junior also posted a singles win over Michigan’s Whitney Taney 6-3, 7-5 to bring the `Dores within one point of clinching the match.
Ulery has also been impressive in doubles, partnering with senior Amanda Taylor for a 5-0 doubles record. Against Notre Dame, Ulery and Taylor defeated the 50th-ranked tandem of Kali Krisik and Rielley 8-5.
Commodores Jump to 11th in ITA Poll:
Vanderbilt is ranked 11th in the latest poll released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The Commodores have opened the season 5-0, including four wins over ranked opponents. Defending national champion and future opponent Georgia Tech remains at the top of the poll, with SEC foes Florida and Georgia ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Vanderbilt returns to action on Saturday, February 16, when it hosts East Tennessee State. Opening serve at the Currey Tennis Center is slated for 2:30 p.m.
