KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As the Southeastern Conference prepares to kick off the women’s tournament on Thursday at the UT Varsity Courts, the conference took time to recognize its athletes for their achievements during the 2003 season.

The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team did not go unnoticed after a successful regular season. Senior Sarah Riske (McMurray, Pa.) and junior Aleke Tsoubanos (Chesterfield, Mo.) both received acknowledgment for their seasons.

For the second-consecutive season, Riske, who is currently ranked No. 15 nationally, was named All-SEC Second Team for her singles’ play. She is the 12th Vanderbilt singles player to earn All-SEC singles’ honor. Vanderbilt’s only senior finished the regular season with a 22-7 overall record and a 17-4 dual-match record. Riske will look for her 100th career singles victory on Thursday against Arkansas.

The fourth-ranked doubles team of Riske and Tsoubanos also earned All-SEC Second Team recognition. Vanderbilt’s top doubles team completed the regular season with a 26-5 overall record and a 17-4 dual-match record. This is the second time Riske and Tsoubanos have received All-SEC honors (2002). A couple of their achievements for the 2002-03 season include winning the Riviera/ITA All-American Championship back in October in Pacific Palisades, Calif. They also became Vanderbilt first doubles team to earn a No. 1 ranking.

The Commodores will get back to business at 5 p.m. (EST) Thursday against Arkansas in the UT Varsity Courts. The Commodores defeated the Lady Razorbacks back on March 30 in Nashville, 7-0.

FIRST-TEAM ALL-SEC (By Position)
Singles
1. Vilmarie Castellvi, Tennessee
2. Sophie Cremers, Alabama
3. Crystal Cleveland, Tennessee
4. Zerene Reyes, Florida
5. Alexis Gordon, Florida
6. Jennifer Magley, Florida

Doubles
1. Agata Cioroch/Lori Grey, Georgia
2. Alexis Gordon/Julie Rotondi, Georgia
3. Tina Hojnik/Douglas Wink, Georgia#
Crystal Cleveland/Sabita Maharaj, Tennessee#

SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC (At-Large)
Singles
Agata Cioroch, Georgia
Lori Grey, Georgia
Anne Nguyen, Georgia
Sarah Witten, Kentucky
Mira Radu, Ole Miss
Sarah Riske, Vanderbilt

Doubles
Sarah Witten/Amy Trefethen, Kentucky
Vilmarie Castellvi/Melissa Shaub, Tennessee
Sarah Riske/Aleke Tsoubanos, Vanderbilt
#Tied for position

SEC COACH OF THE YEAR
Mark Guilbeau, Kentucky

SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Vilmarie Castellvi, Tennessee

SEC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Nathalie Roels, Kentucky