May 24, 1999

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Kentucky women’s tennis player MassoumehEmami picked up a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win over Mirela Vladulescu of AlabamaBirmingham on Monday in opening-round action at the NCAA TennisChampionships at Linder Stadium on the University of Florida campus.

Emami, up a set on Vladulescu, the nation’s former No. 1 player, fellbehind 6-5 in the second set before forcing a tie-breaker at 6-6. Emami,ranked No. 39 in the ITA poll, was up to the challenge in the breaker,claiming a 7-3 win and moving on to the next round.

In the second round, Emami will face 13th-ranked Vanessa Castellano ofGeorgia, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Kara Warkentin of Southern California inround one.

Emami and Castellano will square off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, withAll-America honors on the line. If Emami can pull off the upset, she willbecome the University of Kentucky’s first All-American since 1992, whenSusan Klingenberg claimed the honor.

“Massoumeh played so patiently and with so much discipline today,” CoachMark Guilbeau said. “She really kept Vladulescu guessing and controlledthe match.”

On the doubles side, UK’s 16th-ranked duo of Emami and Kelly Brown fell toKaysie Smashey and Sandy Sureephong of Texas, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in first-roundaction.

“Kelly and Massoumeh really gave it all they had,” Guilbeau said.”Mentally and physically, they went all out, and even though it was a loss,this was a great match for them to close out their doubles careers with. Icould not be more proud of their play.”

AGATE

NCAA Tennis Championships
Linder Stadium
Gainesville, Fla.

Singles

Round One
Massoumeh Emami (UK) d. Mirela Vladulescu (UAB) 6-3, 7-6 (3)

Doubles

Round One
Smashey/Sureephong (Texas) d. Kelly Brown/Emami (UK) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3