Sept. 9, 2010

Matt Freed
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Gamecock women’s tennis team opens its 2010 fall season Friday competing in the SEC Fall Coaches Classic in Auburn, Ala., at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.

Senior Miljana Jocic looks to repeat the success she had in Auburn last year when she won her singles flight to begin the fall 3-0. Jocic ended the 2009 fall campaign with an 11-3 record and finished the entire season with a 28-8 mark to take home team MVP honors. Jocic had the squad’s second most victories in dual matches at 17-5 and spent most of her time playing at Nos. 4 and 5 singles.

Junior Anya Morgina will also be among South Carolina’s representatives in Auburn. Morgina, who played her first season with South Carolina last year after transferring from Indiana State, held the No. 3 singles position last spring and finished with a 15-8 record in dual matches. Overall, Morgina put together a 20-12 mark and ended the year ranked No. 105 nationally. She received the athletics department’s award for New Female Athlete of the Year at the annual Gamecock Gala for her impressive first year.

Sophomore Madeleine Saari-Byström makes her first appearance at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic after missing the tournament a year ago. Saari-Byström went 13-12 overall and 8-6 in dual matches after missing several contests in the spring because of an injury to her right arm. She played a critical role for the Gamecocks at No. 6 singles when she returned to the lineup in early April and went 3-0 in SEC matches.

The SEC Fall Coaches Classic typically features multiple singles and doubles flights consisting of eight players/doubles teams in each. Consolation matches are played as well.

Next week, South Carolina will travel to Milwaukee for the 35th Annual Milwaukee Tennis Classic hosted by Marquette at the Town Club.