May 25, 1999

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Kentucky women’s tennis player MassoumehEmami came up short in her bid to claim All-America honors on Tuesday,falling 6-3, 6-2 to 13th-ranked Vanessa Castellano of Georgia insecond-round action at the NCAA Tennis Championships.

Emami, the nation’s 39th-ranked player, was seeking to become UK’s firstAll-American since 1992, when Susan Klingenberg claimed the honor.

“Massoumeh really played well,” UK Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “She may beranked No. 13, but Vanessa (Castellano) is probably one of the top fiveplayers in the country right now. Massoumeh fell behind early, and playedsome of the best tennis of her life to get back in this match. It was alot closer than a two-and-three match. I’m really proud of her play.”

“In three years, Massoumeh has improved so much. Coming from where she,and our program, started, to get just one win from All-America honors is ahuge accomplishment.”

NCAA Tennis Championships

Singles – Second Round

#13 Vanessa Castellano (UGA) d. Massoumeh Emami (UK)      6-3, 6-2