Nov. 4, 2005

Peachtree City, Ga. – South Carolina women’s tennis is off to a good start at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic in Peachtree City, Ga., capturing wins in all of Friday’s competitions at the annual tournament in Peachtree City, Ga.

Gamecock freshmen athletes Gira Scholfield and Natasa Vuckovic continue to have successful freshman debuts, with wins in A draw singles action on Friday. Schofield, who won the A1 singles title last weekend at the Southern Intercollegiate Tournament, claimed another first round win this weekend against her Tennessee opponent, 5-7, 6-3 and 6-1. Vuckovic, who finished runner runner-up last weekend, also claimed a win today against her opponent from Georgia, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

Redshirt sophomore Grace Blakely added another win for USC with a 7-5, 6-2 win over her Auburn opponent, while senior Justine Walsh defeated her Kentucky opponent 6-3, 6-2. All four Gamecocks will advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals, kicking-off at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Peachtree City.

On Thursday, USC’s duo Schofield and Vuckovic were defeated by Mississippi State in their first round of doubles action, 8-6, but returned to claim the win over Ole Miss, 8-5. Twosome Blakely and Walsh were also defeated in the first round by Auburn. In Friday’s back draw doubles action, Schofield and Vuckovic defeated Vanderbilt 9-7.

The annual SEC fall tournament features athletes from all 12 programs in the SEC, known as the most competitive conference in the NCAA. A total of 19 athletes from the conference are ranked in the top 100, including Gamecocks Christyn Lucas at No. 64, Laura Ganzer, No. 108, and Danielle Wiggins, No. 122. Florida’s Jennifer Magley holds the No. 1 ranking.