March 9, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” For the second-consecutive week, a member of the 12th-ranked South Carolina women’s tennis team was named SEC Freshman of the Week as California native Paige Cline received the honor, the league office announced Wednesday. The Gamecocks, who jumped out to a 2-0 start in the SEC last weekend, have now taken home four weekly honors this spring, including three Freshman of the Week nods.

Cline, currently ranked No. 110 in the nation, clinched the win for South Carolina over No. 57 Missouri with a clutch 7-5, 7-6 (1) victory at No. 2 singles. She and doubles teammate Hadley Berg, ranked No. 54, clinched the doubles point against both Missouri and No. 35 Arkansas last weekend while also capturing a win over the No. 46-ranked doubles team from Missouri.

Part of the No. 12-ranked recruiting class in 2015, Cline has played exclusively in the top half of the singles lineup this spring, helping the Gamecocks to their highest ranking since 2002 and first 2-0 start in the SEC since 2010. In doubles, she and Berg have amassed a 6-0 in record in dual-match play, helping the team take the doubles point in 10-of-12 matches this season.

Cline joins fellow freshman Ingrid Gamarra Martins and junior Caroline Dailey as Gamecocks honored by the league this season. Martins has taken home two SEC Freshman of the Week honors, while Dailey was named SEC Player of the week two weeks ago.

South Carolina hosts No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thur., Mar. 10, before taking on No. 19 Kentucky and South Carolina State on Sat., Mar. 12, at the Carolina Tennis Center.