FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-12-01

Golopencza Ranked No. 1 Nationally In Women's Tennis
AASU Women Ranked Fourth, Men 19^th In Fall ITA Rankings Released Today

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its 2001 Fall Division II rankings and AASU sophomore Zsofi Golopencza, on the strength of her Division II Singles Championship in October, is the No. 1ranked singles player in the nation

The Budapest, Hungary, native is the third AASU women's tennis player to earn a top individual ranking - following Sandra van der Aa (1994-95) and Laura Nhavene (1997). Since coming to AASU in 2000, Golopencza has compiled a 50-5 singles record and was the ITA's National Rookie of the Year last season.

The AASU Lady Pirate tennis squad, No. 4 in the team rankings, boasts two other players in the Top 20 in singles - senior Michaela Kratochvilova (No. 10) and freshman Annamaria Forgacs (No. 17). Golopencza and Kratochvilova are also ranked in doubles, coming in at No. 3.

The AASU Pirate men's tennis squad is also ranked in the Top 20 in the fall men's team rankings, coming in at No. 19.

Both AASU men's and women's tennis teams begin their spring dual match season on February 2, 2002, as they host USC Spartanburg at 1:00 p.m.

- Pirates -