Orlin wants strong SEC finish

Tennessee's Samantha Orlin isn't about to let a big season go bust in the SEC women's tennis tournament this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.

Not if she and her teammates can help it.

"We've had a great season so far," said Orlin, the team's only senior. "It would be great to finish it off on a good note."

The third-seeded Lady Vols (15-5, 8-3 SEC) had a first-round bye and play today at 3:30 p.m. EDT against sixth-seeded South Carolina, which beat No. 11 Kentucky 5-1 in a first-round match Thursday.

UT is ranked No. 10 in the nation, while South Carolina is No. 22. The Lady Vols are coming off a 5-2 home loss to No. 2 Georgia on Sunday. UT's other SEC losses are at Florida (5-2 on March 15) and at Arkansas (4-3 on March 27).

"We're going to try to get that SEC title, which would be awesome before I go out my senior year," Orlin said. "It's going to be bittersweet because it's my last SEC tournament, and going into it your senior year you want to do the best you can."

UT co-head coach Mike Patrick said Orlin will be missed.

"She's been a rock for us," Patrick said. "She's been at every match, she always shows up at every practice and gives her best effort. She's just been so solid. She's somebody we (signed) at the last second and she turned out to be one of our most solid players."

Orlin, of Miami, has a 24-8 record this season at No. 3 singles and is tied with No. 4 Jennifer Meredith for the team-high in wins this year. Orlin has 83 career wins, two shy of No. 15 on the Lady Vols' career list.

Orlin played No. 5 singles as a freshman, Nos. 4 and 5 as a sophomore, and climbed to No. 3 as a junior when she went 19-5 - tied for the team-high in wins - and was selected the team's most improved player.

"I couldn't have asked to end up at a better place," Orlin said. "I love it here. It's been a great four years. I've improved tremendously since my freshman year."

UT will be favored in its opening match today. The Lady Vols have already beaten each potential opponent, winning 5-2 at South Carolina on March 13 and 7-0 at home against Kentucky on April 10.

If the Lady Vols win today, they could face second-seeded Arkansas in Saturday's semifinals on the Lady Razorbacks' home court.

Orlin says the Lady Vols are confident.

"We're good to go I think," she said. "It will be a great experience. I think we can keep the momentum going. Teams are scared of us, which is a great way to go in."

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.